Taraba killing: DHQ panel recommends sanctions for army officer, ASP, three others

The report of the Board of Inquiry to investigate the
circumstances surrounding the killing of three Nigeria Police (NPF)
personnel and two civilians by troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) in
Taraba State, has indicted both the police and army over the
incident.

The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday in a statement by its
spokesman Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu explained that following the
directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for an immediate
investigation into the killings along Ibi-Wukari Road in Taraba
State, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin
constituted a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to investigate the
incident.

Nwachukwu said after a thorough and painstaking investigation
into the incident, the BOI submitted its report to the convening
authority observing that, there were infractions and poor
communication between personnel of the NPF and troops of the
NA.

He said it was also observed that there was non-adherence to the
Standard Operating Procedure by both parties involved in the
incident.

He said the BOI further made some recommendations to the NA and
NPF to forestall future occurrence and bring anyone culpable to
book in accordance with extant laws.

He said the BOI also recommended that the NA and NPF should
further investigate Captain Tijani Balarabe, Sergeant Ibrahim
Mohammed, Corporal Bartholomew Obanye, DCO Ibi Police Division,
Assistant Superintendent of Police Aondoona Iorbee, and Inspector
Aliyu Dadje for complacency and necessary disciplinary
measures.

He said it was also recommended that further investigation be
conducted on Hamisu Bala for gunrunning and possibly kidnapping, in
order to prosecute the suspect.

Nwachukwu said additionally, the BOI recommended that the
Services and other security agencies establish an Inter-agency
Liaison Desk to include senior officers for timely resolution of
future misdemeanor.

He said the Defence Headquarters assures the public that the
Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies are working in
synergy to tackle contemporary security challenges bedeviling the
nation.

The seven-member BOI led by Rear Admiral Ibikunle Taiwo Olaiya
as chairman comprised one representative each from the Defence
Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force,
Defence Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Police and Department of State
Service.

Nwachukwu recall that on 6 August 2019, reports of the killing
of three policemen and two civilians in Ibi Local Government Area
of Taraba State by troops of the NA broke out.

The incident started from Ibi town, following an alarm alleging
the kidnap of one Alhaji Hamisu Bala (aka Wadume) by some
individuals in a Hummer bus.

Nwachukwu said Captain Tijani Balarabe informed all military
checkpoints along Ibi-Wukari Road, who sprang into action.

He added that the alleged Hummer bus mentioned in the distress
call however conveyed Police personnel of the IGP-IRT who were on a
legitimate duty in Taraba State.

He said military checkpoints in the area were deployed by troops
of Headquarters 93 Battalion, Takum, who were equally on legitimate
duty to checkmate communal clashes, kidnapping, and armed robbery,
which were prevalent threats in Wukari Ibi area.

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