Soldiers Shot Policemen Dead at Collation Centre in Taraba

Two policemen on Monday were shot dead at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Collation Centre in Jalingo, Taraba state capital.

They were killed in a clash between Soldiers and police officers. Two others sustained injuries during the melee.

Witnesses said a minor disagreement between soldiers and policemen guarding INEC headquarters in the state degenerated into a crisis that lasted nearly an hour.

According to sources, soldiers, who sent policemen away from the INEC collation centre, later invaded police headquarters and chased away police officers on duty.

Two policemen on Monday were shot dead at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Collation Centre in Jalingo, Taraba state capital.

They were killed in a clash between Soldiers and police officers. Two others sustained injuries during the melee.

Witnesses said a minor disagreement between soldiers and policemen guarding INEC headquarters in the state degenerated into a crisis that lasted nearly an hour.

According to sources, soldiers, who sent policemen away from the INEC collation centre, later invaded police headquarters and chased away police officers on duty.

Injured policemen are currently being treated at Federal Medical Center, Jalingo, according to a source.

Vehicles parked inside the police headquarters were reportedly vandalised during the incident.

Sporadic shots triggered panic among residents as shops, markets and houses were shut.

During a joint press conference, police commissioner in the state, Suleiman Amodu, said a high-powered investigative panel would be set up to establish the cause of the incident.

The conference was attended by the Commandant, 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Jalingo, Brig General Frank Etim, and the state Director of the Department of State Services (DSS)