The Nigeria Police on Thursday released the identities and photographs of the three officers killed by soldiers along Ibi-Jalingo Road in Taraba State on Tuesday while paying tribute to them.
In a tweet on its verified handle as well as a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, it listed the slain officers as Sergeant Usman Danzumi, Sergeant Dahiru Musa and Inspector Mark Ediale.
In the tweet titled “Will Be Forever Remembered” the Force Public Relations Department also disclosed that the slain officers had been part of the teams that rescued the Magajin Garin, the District Head of Daura, as well as those who arrested 22 members of the Boko Haram sect who abducted the Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State in 2014.
They were also to have assisted in the arrest of suspected kidnap kingpin, Evans, as well as the arrest of Umar Abudulmalik, the “overall commander” of Boko Haram in the North-Central and several insurgents, among other operations.
Recall also that the officers had lost their lives while effecting the arrest of a high profile kidnapper identified as Hamisu Wadume, who had been indicted in a series of kidnappings in the state.
A statement earlier, the Force spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, alleged that the soldiers set the suspect free after attacking the policemen.
The Nigerian Army authorities, however, in its reaction to the incident claimed its men mistook the policemen for kidnappers.
The police in its tweet queried “Where Is Espirt De Corps” in reaction to the actions of the soldiers who killed their personnel.
In the statement issued on Thursday, signed by Mr. Frank Mba, the Police described the three as “some of the most disciplined, proficient and hardworking Police investigators in the service of the Nation.”
See the full text below:
TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE OFFICERS KILLED BY SOLDIERS IN TARABA STATE ON 6TH AUGUST, 2019.
Insp. Mark Edaile, from Edo State
Sgt. Usman Danzumi, from Taraba State
Sgt. Dahiru Musa, from Taraba State.
“The gallant, outstanding IRT team attacked by Soldiers in Taraba State consists of some of the most disciplined, proficient and hardworking Police investigators in the service of the Nation.
“Until their untimely death in the hands of soldiers of 93 Battalion Takum, Taraba State, these officers have participated in several high-profile and high-risk arrests, rescue missions and investigative operations. Some of these operations include:
“The arrest of Nigeria’s most notorious kidnap kingpin, Evans.
“The arrest of twenty (22) Boko Haram Terrorists responsible for the 2014 kidnapping of the Chibok School Girls in Borno State.
“The arrest of UMAR Abdulmalik, the overall Boko Haram Commander of North Central Nigeria and several of his group members.
The arrest of the kidnappers of two American and two Canadian citizens in Kaduna State.
“And most recently, the rescue of Magajin Garin Daura in Kano State and arrest of the thirteen (13) terrorists responsible for the kidnapping of the Magajin Garin Daura in his home town Daura, Katsina State on 1st May 2019, among many other outstanding feats.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni commiserates with the families, friends and professional colleagues of the fallen heroes, reassuring them that their death will not be in vain.
“The IGP equally calls for calm among Nigerians as efforts are in top gear to unravel the mystery surrounding this bizarre crime. ”
May their souls rest in peace!
