Kwara State Police Command on Wednesday arrested a soldier serving at Sector 3 Garrison, Mongunu, Maiduguri, identified as Suleiman Sidiq, for an alleged assault on a police officer and attempted homicide.
Tribune Online gathered that the incident, which happened at Sinawu town of Ilesha-Baruba, Baruten local government area of Kwara state, was reported to have stemmed from a land dispute.
The suspect, said to be under the influence of intoxicants, attacked the Divisional Crime Officer, ASP Okeowo Joel, in the course of intervention by the Divisional Police Officer, DSP Marufu Keji.
ALSO READ: Tinubu endorses sustainability reporting initiative for investment promotion
Suleiman Sidiq was said to have brought out a Jack Knife and inflicted severe injury on the head and stabbed the left hand of the DPO.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, who confirmed the incident in a press statement, said that the assaulted officer is receiving medical treatment for the injuries sustained.
“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”, she said.
The statement read that: “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 1720hrs 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 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, in the course of intervention by the Divisional Police Officer DSP Marufu Keji; Suleiman Sidiq brought out a Jack Knife and inflicted severe injury on the head and stabbed the left hand of the DPO.
“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.
“Meanwhile, the officer assaulted is receiving medical treatment for the injuries sustained.
Further details on the incident will be provided as the investigation progresses”.
