BREAKING: Angry Naval officers attack police station leaves three burnt alive

Three policemen were reportedly burnt to death, following a clash between the police and some officers of Nigerian navy in Calabar, Cross River state capital, on Tuesday.

According to witnesses, the attack began shortly after 8.00 p.m., it had developed into a deadly riot, with suspected naval officers attacking a police divisional headquarters, killing three and injuring others after setting the facility alight and was still underway as at 10.19 p.m.

A naval officer sustained gunshot wounds from suspected police fire. No inmates escaped during fracas, police said.

When contacted, Naval spokesperson, Suleiman Dahun,claimed that he was not aware of the development as at 10.26 p.m.

His counterpart in the police, Jimoh Moshood, could not be reached for comments.

According to Premium Times sources, the confrontation was a continuation of an initial skirmish between a police traffic officer and a naval officer at a traffic light near the Calabar Stadium along the Airport Road on Tuesday afternoon.

“Some naval officers ran the red light and police traffic officers intervened, but rather than listen, they descended on the policemen and beat them up,” a witness said. “This was around 5 p.m.”

“Police officers now called for back up and and the Navy also called for reinforcement and they took over the road leading to the airport.

“But the Navy Commander and police commissioner in the state intervened and the two sides backed down,” the witness said.

“However, around 8:00 p.m., when everyone thought the matter had been resolved, naval officers descended on Akim Police Station and started shooting and burnt down the facility.

“We confirmed three bodies but we feared there are more,” the witness said.

The witness also accused the naval officers of blocking fire fighters from extinguishing the inferno set at the police station.

“I want to assure” Cross River residents, “and indeed Nigerians, that the whole area is calm after the unfortunate incident,” Mr. Ayade told reporters after emerging from the meeting.

Salihu Jubril, Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, expressed deep regrets over the incident and vowed tough sanctions on errant officers.

“Let me assure you that the culprits will be brought to book, properly investigated and appropriate sanctions meted on them,” Mr. Jubril, a commodore, said.

Hafiz Inuwa, the commissioner of police in Cross Rivers, said the development, though unfortunate, would not affect Navy-police relationship going forward.