TheCable

Abubakar Tsav, a former commissioner of police, has called for calm between the army and the police over the killing of policemen in Taraba state.

Three policemen who arrested a kidnap suspect were shot dead by soldiers in the state earlier in the week.

Frank Mba, police spokesman, had issued a statement on the incident, saying the soldiers set the suspect free after killing a civilian and three officers attached to the intelligence response team of the inspector-general of police.

Sagir Musa, spokesman of the army, later said the soldiers thought those killed were kidnappers but the police rejected the claim and demanded further explanations.

In a statement, Tsav called on both parties to “cease media fireworks” and allow the committee set up to probe the matter carry out its responsibility.

“I am saddened by the avoidable death of three members of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force another civilian under circumstances that are now the subject of an investigation ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

“From my experience as a retired police officer, the death of colleagues in the line of duty is saddening and depressing with the emotional toll becoming heavier when the loss of life is as result of friendly fire. The deceased members of the IRT, Insp. Mark Edaile, Sgt. Usman Danzumi, and Sgt. Dahiru Musa died in an encounter with soldiers of the Nigerian Army. It is a situation that provokes a long string of regrets as survivors and authorities contemplate what could have been done differently.

“We must however grieve responsibly. I have observed a worrisome trend since the incident in which the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army are engaged in fireworks of blame trading, which in my view amounts to desecrating the memory of the deceased officers. The accusations and counter accusations between both sister agencies, if anything, is encouraging kidnappers, terrorists and bandits – giving them the impression that those tasked with getting rid of them are at loggerheads and in disarray.

“The energy being channelled into recriminations is better directed at continuing with tackling the security breaches confronting the country even as the nation seeks answers to what transpired. Our focus should be on getting full closure by leveraging the investigation ordered by Mr President to get to the bottom of what happed. This should be with a view of using lessons from this exercise to prevent a repeat of the tragic Taraba incident.

“There should also be a review of information sharing and collaboration among the relevant security agencies in the country to prevent further loss of life to friendly fire. Security agencies should routinely keep each other informed when and where their geographical areas of operation overlap, besides helping to prevent blue on blue incidents it will also increase the likelihood of criminals being apprehended.

“My thoughts are with families, colleagues and loved ones of the bereaved as I pray that God grants peaceful repose to their souls.”