The Nigerian Army has accused the Nigeria Police Force of brutality towards its personnel, claiming that some of its soldiers were killed while conducting joint operations with police officers.
In a leaked circular signed by Major-General J. A. Ataguba on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Faruk Yahaya, the army alleged that some of the joint operations in recent times have led to a superiority clash between the troops and personnel of the Nigeria Police.
The circular with the number; AHO DASE/G3/240/55, and dated November 23, noted that some of its personnel were brutalised during the operations, adding that some of its men had lost their lives as a result of development.
The army, therefore, directed all Nigerians Army corps, formations and establishments to forward all recorded incidence in the last two years.
The circular partly read: “This responsibility has occasioned conducting joint activities with members of the civil and paramilitary organisations. These joint operations with other security agencies particularly the Nigeria Police Force create occasions for the police to equate its hierarchy with the NA and this has often led to friction especially at the lower levels.
“This friction has occasionally led to bodily harm and in some cases death to our troops. This is in spite of the fact that the victims have been identified and established to be serving personnel. This Department is therefore conducting an evaluation of these occurrences with a view to establishing the frequency and recommend possible remedial measures to stem the tide.
“Consequently, all NA corps, formations and establishments are requested to forward all recorded incidence of police brutality against personnel of the NA. The report should cover the last two years.”
