Soldier nabbed for assaulting police officers in Kwara

The police in Kwara State have nabbed a soldier identified as PTE Suleiman Sadiq for allegedly injuring DSP Morufu Keji, a divisional police officer serving in the Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

This medium learnt that the Sadiq said to be serving at Sector 3 Garrison, Mongunu, Maiduguri, Borno State, had reported a land dispute to the police at Sinawu town near Ilesha-Baruba but later became wild and attacked Okeowo Joel, a Divisional Crime officer, and Keji at the station.

The police command, while confirming the incident in a statement by DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, its spokesperson, said Sadiq harassed the police officers as seen in a trending video circulating on the Internet.

“The attention of the Kwara State Police Command has been drawn to a disturbing video in circulation on the Internet. A policeman is seen being assaulted by a man holding a dangerous weapon. On March 20, 2024, at about 1720 hours, a report was received from one PTE Suleiman Sidiq, a soldier serving at Sector3 Garrison, Mongunu, Maiduguri, regarding a case of mischief in the Sinawu Town area of Ilesha-Baruba Kwara state.

“During the investigation, it was discovered that the case stemmed from a land dispute; parties involved were warned to maintain peace and return the following day, March 21, 2024, for further resolution.

“However, the situation took a violent turn when the complainant, Suleiman Sidiq, who was under the influence of intoxicating substances, became so unruly. All efforts and persuasion to calm him down proved abortive; he attacked the divisional crime officer, ASP Okeowo Joel,” the statement read partly.

According to the PPRO, in the course of intervention by the DPO, “Suleiman Sidiq brought out a Jackknife and inflicted severe injury on the head and stabbed the left hand of the DPO.”

The statement added, “Following the assault, Suleiman Sidiq fled the station by scaling the fence. Immediately, he was given a hot chase in a bid to arrest him. Subsequently, he was apprehended and transferred to the state CID in Ilorin for thorough investigation.”

The PPRO also said that the officer assaulted had been taken to the hospital for medical treatment for the injuries sustained in the incident.