Tension gripped the Bayan Gari area of Bauchi metropolis on Friday night following a violent clash between police officers on patrol and soldiers attached to Operation Safe Haven, Jos, which resulted in the death of a police officer.

In a statement on Saturday, the spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, CSP Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident, describing it as a “serious occurrence” that happened around 10:35 p.m.

According to him, a police patrol team led by Inspector Hussaini Samaila was on routine duty in the Bayan Gari area when one of its members, Constable Ukasha Muhammed, was assaulted by two individuals in front of a hotel.

The team responded immediately, arresting one of the suspects while the other fled the scene.

“The detained individual has been identified as Private Usman Mubarak (23NA/84/5346), who is attached to the STF Operation Safe Haven in Jos, Plateau State,” Wakil said.

“At about 11:05 p.m., two other soldiers, Private Yakubu Yahuza (23NA/85/10185) and Private Godspower Gabriel (23NA/84/5654), both partially dressed in military uniform and armed with rifles, approached the team and fatally shot Constable Ukasha Muhammed in the left chest before escaping.”

The injured officer was rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

Wakil added that the deceased officer’s remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while the arrested soldiers are currently in police custody.

He disclosed that the Police Command has constituted a team of investigators to ensure a thorough inquiry and justice for the slain officer.

It would be recalled that a similar incident occurred in August when a police officer escorting a mining company shot and killed a soldier at a checkpoint in the Alkaleri area of Bauchi State.

The police announced that an investigation was ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding that case.