- Safiu Kehinde
An altercation has, on Thursday, ensued between officers of the Nigerian Police Force and Air Force personnel in Kwara state after a policeman allegedly slapped an Air Force officer.
The incident reportedly occurred along Ahmadu Bello road, Ilorin.
According to an eyewitness, a team of police officers had, alongside officials of the Kwara State Traffic Management Authority (KWATMA), stopped a tricyclr conveying the Air Force officer.
The officer reportedly pleaded with the officials to allow the tricycle to pass, but his plea was met with a slap from one of the police officers.
In reaction, the enraged air force officer beat up the police officer who slapped him, leading to his arrest and detention at a nearby police headquarters.
Things would get messy as other Air Force personnel arrived at the scene, leading to the escalation of the clash.
The eyewitness, according to SaharaReporters, narated how the police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse them.
“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.