Nigeria: Police, Army trade charges on suspect kidnaper

By Olarewaju Kola

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) – Police in Nigeria have sought explanation from the Army authorities, after they fired at a police team at a security checkpoint, leading to the killing of three personnel and escape of a suspected kidnaper.

The suspected kidnaper, arrested by the Intelligence Response Detective Team of the Police on Wednesday was being transported to police headquarters, when the soldiers at a checkpoint opened fire, killing three detectives and a civilian. The accused also escaped from the scene with handcuffs.

Police Spokesman Frank Mba, in a statement, charged the Army for helping the suspected kidnaper to escape and killing of police personnel. He questioned, how the accused with his hands and legs handcuffed could run away?

"We leave the Army authorities to provide answers to Nigerians,” the official said.

He rejected the Army claim that the convoy of two police vehicles, carrying three police officers and the accused, refused to stop at a security checkpoint, in northeast Taraba province on Wednesday.

He said the claim was a lame justification, to cover up killings of police officers and a civilian.

The Army on the other hand, in a statement, claimed that cops had kidnapped a millionaire Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume.

It also said that the police team did not stop at the checkpoint despite warning.

Police spokesman questioned the theory and wanted to know the whereabouts of the millionaire Wadume. “Where is the rescued kidnapper?" the police spokesman asked.