A commotion erupted on Thursday, in Ilorin, Kwara State, when a Nigerian police officer allegedly slapped an Air Force officer over a dispute regarding the movement of a tricycle along Ahmadu Bello Road.
An eyewitness told SaharaReporters that the incident started at Yoruba Road Market when officials from the Kwara State Traffic Management Authority (KWATMA), along with police officers, stopped a tricycle carrying the Air Force officer.
SaharaReporters gathered that the officer had pleaded with the officials to let the tricycle pass, but the plea was met with a slap from the police officer.
In response, the air force officer reportedly exited the tricycle and retaliated by beating the police officer who slapped him.
However, the altercation drew attention as tensions escalated.
The air force officer was subsequently arrested and taken to the nearby police headquarters, not far from where the incident happened.
Meanwhile, the situation worsened when his colleagues arrived at the scene, leading to further confrontation.
The eyewitness told SaharaReporters that the police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse them.
“A tricycle carrying an Air Force officer to Ahmadu Bello Way was stopped by officials from the Kwara State Traffic Management Authority (KWATMA), accompanied by police officers.
“The Air Force officer pleaded with them to allow them to pass, but an unidentified police officer immediately slapped him. In retaliation, the Air Force officer struck back.
“The Air Force officer has been arrested at the Kwara Police Command headquarters. The police used tear gas against the Air Force officers who came to support their colleague after the incident,” the eyewitness reported.
The eyewitness noted that the police officers were stationed at the roundabout along Sulu Gambari Road, while the Air Force officers were on Yoruba Road.
“They were throwing tear gas at the Air Force officers before they left the scene. I heard that the Air Force officers went for reinforcement. Although everything is calm now,” the source said.
Efforts made by SaharaReporters to contact the Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, SP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, were unsuccessful, as she did not answer her calls or respond to messages sent to her.
On November 9, 2024, the Kwara State Government restricted some categories of vehicles from making use of Ahmadu Bello Way, GRA, Ilorin, the state capital.
The Ministry of Works and Transport directed KWARTMA to commence enforcement with immediate effect.
On November 12, 2024, SaharaReporters reported that Mining Marshals, a specialised unit deployed to tackle illegal mining nationwide, clashed with security forces while they were attempting to arrest Chinese nationals engaging in the illegal exploitation of lithium at a site in Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The confrontation was between marshals and military personnel and policemen, who reportedly claimed they were protecting the Chinese nationals.
The mining marshals, led by Commander Attah Onoja, claimed they were stopped by security personnel from apprehending the suspects despite having received clearance to carry out the operation.
The Commander, aiming to avoid a breakdown of law and order, retreated but assured that all necessary legal measures would be pursued to ensure lawful mining activities in Nigeria.
In April 2020, there was similar commotion in the Nyanya area of Abuja when some policemen cashed with a group of Air Force personnel in a faceoff.
Trouble started when two young Air Force officers drove against traffic during the lockdown of the city occasioned by the outbreak and continued spread of Coronavirus but were stopped by the monitoring team of the Federal Capital Territory administration.
The enforcement team directed the two men to turn back and follow the right way but they declined.
This infuriated the policemen and other officers on the team, who made attempt to arrest the Air Force personnel.
The situation escalated when a detachment of Air Force officers arrived at the scene to rescue their colleagues but were resisted.
This led to another round of shouting match, creating panic in the area.
Normalcy, however, returned when a senior Air Force officer on the team asked the two men to apologise to the police commander.