Panel wants Capt, ASP, soldiers punished on Taraba killings of 3 policemen, a civilian

The joint investigative panel set up by the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the killing of three policemen and a civilian on August 6 in Ibi, Taraba State, has recommended sanctions for five soldiers and two police officers.

The report of the seven-man said Captain Tijani Balarabe, Sergeant Ibrahim Mohammed and Corporal Bartholomew Obanye, as well as the Divisional Crime Officer of Ibi Police Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police Aondoona Iorbee, and Inspector Aliyu Dadje must pass through disciplinary measures over the incident.

The report also said an alleged Taraba kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Wadume,  who has been in detention, must be prosecuted for “gunrunning and possible kidnapping”.

On August 6, three policemen attached to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team and one civilian were shot dead by soldiers attached to Ibi Unit under the 93 Battalion, Takum, Taraba State.

The policemen had gone to arrest Wadume in Ibi town when the soldiers opened fire on them and thereafter freed the kidnap suspect.

The DHQ on August 9 set up the panel headed by Rear Admiral Ibikunle Olaiya, and officers drawn from the army, navy, air force, police, the Department of State Services and the Defence Intelligence Agency.

A statement on Tuesday by the acting Director of Defence Information, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed that the panel had submitted its report and recommended sanctions for the suspects.
(Punch)