Troops from the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army have apprehended a Nigeria Police Force officer for allegedly collaborating with armed militia.
The incident, which also saw four militia members neutralised, has cast a stark light on the complex security challenges in the region.
The operation was initiated in Usmanu Village, Karim Lamido Local Government Area, to quell a violent resurgence of a long-standing land dispute between the Shomo and Wurkun communities.
The clashes had already resulted in the burning of houses and significant property destruction.
According to an Army statement, the troops, deployed under Operation Peace Shield, came under immediate attack from armed assailants upon reaching the conflict zone. A fierce firefight ensued, leading to the killing of four of the attackers.
However, the most startling revelation emerged in the aftermath. During the subsequent exploitation of the area, security forces discovered and arrested a uniformed personnel of the Nigeria Police Force who was found operating in concert with the armed militia. The officer is now in military custody, undergoing what has been described as “further investigation and profiling” to unravel the extent of his involvement.
The arrest of a state security agent alongside non-state actors marks a significant and troubling development, pointing to the deeply entrenched nature of local conflicts and the potential for collusion.
While commenting on the overall success of the operation, the Commander, 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to rooting out all criminal elements destabilising Taraba State, without explicitly mentioning the arrested police officer.
The Nigerian Army has urged calm and has called on the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies. The incident is expected to prompt a high-level investigation and dialogue between the army and police leadership.
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