From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
A 23-year-old man has been hit by stray bullet as operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) of the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Army personnel clashed in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident which occurred at the early of Thursday led to the damage of the official vehicle of Commander of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF), CSP Lyam Akegh, following gunshots.
Sources from Naka alleged that the JTF personnel were returning from an operation aimed at curbing insecurity and kidnapping activities on the Makurdi-Naka-Adoka-Ankpa and Naka-Agagbe Roads when they were attacked by Nigerian Army personnel posted in the area.
The sources further said the incident triggered fear and panic in the town, with residents running for their lives as gunshots were fired sporadically.
The source claimed some children were still missing as at Wednesday evenin, while a traditional ruler, Chief Deligba Akaa, was currently sheltering a three-year-old boy who got separated from his family during the commotion.
The locals who denied knowledge of the cause of the attack said it may be a case of mistaken identity or a misunderstanding between the two security agencies.
As at the time of filing this report, there was no official statements from the army.
The Special Adviser to Benue State Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har confirmed the incident.
He said the officers “went for clearance operation in the bush and on their way back, the soldiers stopped them and they refused to stop resulting the soldiers opening fire on them.”
When contacted for comments, the State command Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Edet Udeme, confirmed the incident, saying investigation was ongoing to unravel what actually happened, adding that, efforts are being made to settle the matter.
Meanwhile, a security officer who spoke to journalists on phone on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak, explained that troops deployed at the Naka checkpoint sighted some locals on motorcycles carrying butchered cows in the fashion of cattle thieves.
The source said their movement raised the suspicion of troops to interrogate the suspects.
“When troops attempted to stop the motorcyclists for questioning, a Toyota Hilux vehicle approached the checkpoint at high speed refused to stop despite several signals.
“The troops, in an attempt to halt the vehicle for proper identification, fired warning shots as standard security procedure, but the driver sped off into Naka town.
“Shortly after, sporadic gunfire was heard within the town. It was later confirmed that the shooting emanated from some Operation Zenda personnel who were allegedly firing into the air in celebration of their successful operation.
“Unfortunately, a 12-year-old boy was hit in the leg by a stray bullet. The child is currently receiving medical attention at Naka Medical Centre and is in stable condition.”
“On the same day, personnel of Operation Zenda returned to the checkpoint demanding the release of suspects earlier apprehended with mutilated cows believed to have been rustled.
“One of the suspects later confessed that the Operation Zenda vehicle was conveying the rustled cows which made them not to stop for check at the first instance.”, the security officer said.
