Army Fears Retaliation From Police For Killing of Officers, Directs Travelling Soldiers to Wear Mufti

Fearing retaliation for the killing of three police officers in Takum, Taraba state last week from members of the Nigerian Police Force, the Chief of Army Staff, Brig. Gen. Tukur Buratai has directed military personnel on Internal Security (IS) to wear mufti when travelling.

In a letter dated August 9,2019 titled, ‘Need for troops to be circumspect in dealing with members of the Nigeria Police’, marked AHQDAIOPS/G3/240/232 signed on behalf of the COAS by Brig. Gen. F. Omoigui, the COAS advised formations and unit commanders to educate their troops on the need to be cautious when dealing with members of the Police.

The letter reads, “In the aftermath of the unfortunate incident involving troops of 93 bn, Takum and members of the Intelligence Response Team of the NPF at Ibi LGA of Taraba State on August 6, 2019, inciting and inflammatory comments are being made by the NPF on the regular and social media platforms.

“This is capable of inciting the rank and file of the NP to exhibit aggressive tendencies against NA personnel. Accordingly, all troops on IS (Internal Security) duty as well as personnel travelling in and out of uniform are to be circumspect in their conduct to avoid escalation.”

“Consequently, formations and unit commanders are to educate troops to be cautious in their dealings with members of the NP in view of this development. Troops travelling on pass are to endeavor to do so in mufti”.