Nigerian Army asks troops to be circumspect in dealing with Nigerian Police

The Nigerian Army has issued a memo asking the troops to be circumspect in dealing with the Nigerian Police, according to local media organization Breaking Times. The memo says in the aftermath of the Taraba killing inciting and inflammatory comments are being made by the Nigerian Police Force on social media platforms. This might incite the rank and file of Nigerian Police to exhibit aggressive tendencies against the Nigerian Army, therefore, all troops and personnel are to be circumspect in their conduct to avoid escalation. This message was reportedly continued in a confidential memo from the Chief of Army Staff, General Buratai to all military personnel operating outside the official assignments.

Nigerian Army issues ‘red alert’ to soldiers dealing with Nigeria police [See Memo] https://t.co/1xPg2XQ10z pic.twitter.com/Wm8UcYjfjV

— BREAKINGTIMES (@BTBreakingTimes) August 12, 2019

The note further added that "Formations and unit commanders are to educate troops to be cautious in their dealings with members of the NP in view of this development. Troops traveling on pass are to endeavor to do so in mufti." 

The soldiers of the 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Taraba Stat killed three police officers and a civilian last week when they opened fire on a police team taking a kidnapping suspect to headquarters.

The officers, who were from the Intelligence Response Team, were returning with the suspect from a town along Ibi-Jalingo Road in Taraba state when Nigerian Army soldiers manning a security checkpoint shot at their car.