A dramatic altercation between a Nigerian police officer and an Air Force officer on Thursday disrupted activities on Ahmadu Bello Road, Ilorin, Kwara State, following a dispute over the movement of a tricycle.
Incident at Yoruba Road Market
The incident reportedly began at Yoruba Road Market when officials from the Kwara State Traffic Management Authority (KWATMA), accompanied by police officers, stopped a tricycle carrying the Air Force officer.
An eyewitness who spoke with SaharaReporters revealed that the Air Force officer pleaded with the officials to allow the tricycle to pass. However, his plea allegedly provoked a slap from a police officer, sparking the altercation.
“The Air Force officer came down from the tricycle and retaliated by beating the police officer who slapped him,” the eyewitness recounted.
The confrontation quickly escalated, drawing a crowd and causing tension in the area. The Air Force officer was later arrested and taken to the nearby police headquarters, located close to the scene.
Naijaonpoint learnt that the matters worsened when the Air Force officer’s colleagues arrived at the location, leading to further clashes.
Eyewitnesses reported that as the confrontation intensified, the police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the crowd and calm the situation.
“A tricycle carrying an Air Force officer to Ahmadu Bello Way was stopped by officials from the Kwara State Traffic Management Authority (KWATMA), accompanied by police officers.
“The Air Force officer pleaded with them to allow them to pass, but an unidentified police officer immediately slapped him. In retaliation, the Air Force officer struck back.
“The Air Force officer has been arrested at the Kwara Police Command headquarters. The police used tear gas against the Air Force officers who came to support their colleague after the incident,” the eyewitness reported.
The eyewitness noted that the police officers were stationed at the roundabout along Sulu Gambari Road, while the Air Force officers were on Yoruba Road.
“They were throwing tear gas at the Air Force officers before they left the scene. I heard that the Air Force officers went for reinforcement. Although everything is calm now,” the source said.