Army, Police Panel To Investigate Killing Of DPO, Others

Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika

A TEAM of officers drawn from the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian police are to investigate the alleged murder of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Badagry Division, Mr. Saliu Samuel, his Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) and some other officers in Lagos last Tuesday.

The high powered team to be set up is expected to brief the authorities on the progress of investigations from time to time.

Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim who gave the indication in Abuja yesterday said the authorities are determined to unravel the remote cause of the incident to prevent a recurrence between personnel of the two services.

Ringim spoke when he received the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika who was at the Force Headquarters to commiserate with the police authorities over the killing. He lamented the incident, even as he disclosed that the police have maintained a cordial relationship with the Nigerian Army.

According to him, it was the first time a Chief of Army Staff was visiting the Police Headquarters to condole with the authorities over the loss of its personnel arising from a skirmish between the police and men of the Nigerian Army.

“The team is expected to carry out a no-holds-barred investigation because we want to put the records straight and prevent a future occurrence,” he said.

The police boss stated that although there is no time frame for the team, at the end of the investigation, the exact number of those who died during the face-off will be disclosed when concluded.

Responding, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, while lamenting the loss of the police officers in Lagos, described the incidence of skirmishes between security agencies as unfortunate.

He urged the media to exercise restraint in their reportage so as not to jeopardize investigations into the incident, adding that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to those found to have carried out the killings.

On the Army’ relationship with other security agencies, he disclosed that the Nigerian Army has had a symbiotic relationship with the Nigeria Police, culminating in the training of over 2,000 police officers and men in some of its institutions in the country.

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