The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reacted to the clash between its personnel and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kaduna State, 0n Friday.
Daily Trust had reported how Air Force personnel invaded the Kaduna command of EFCC to secure release of some of its personnel who were arrested by the anti-graft agency.
Responding to our correspondent’s inquiry, NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, an Air Commodore, said the armed force was still studying the incident.
“For now, still studying the issue,” Gabkwet told Daily Trust in a text message.
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The acting spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, who had earlier confirmed the incident, explained that the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation and flagrant abuse of power by the NAF personnel.
Although he said the NAF officers were later released to the NAF Provost after they had been duly profiled, there was communications breakdown between the leaderships of the two agencies.
He explained, “Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC, on Monday, November 13, 2023 arrested five suspects at a residential Inn and Disney Chicken Eatery, Barnawa, Kaduna following credible intelligence about their alleged internet- related fraud activities.
“The suspected fraudsters: Favour Itung, Rachael Ande, Zuleiman Haruna, Abubakar Ismaila and Solomon Olobatoke, were arrested without incident.
“However, after the sting operation, six military personnel who witnessed the operation at Disney Chicken Eatery, stormed the Kaduna Command and attempted to forcibly release the arrested fraud suspects.
“They were subdued and detained over the security breach. While in detention, there were inter-agency communication and discussions by the leadership of the EFCC and the Nigerian Air Force, NAF to resolve the issues.
“Unfortunately, dialogue on the release of the combative Air Force personnel broke down on Friday, November 17, 2023 when some unruly NAF Officers stormed the Kaduna Command in a commando- style, to forcefully release their detained colleagues.
“The EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation and flagrant abuse of power. The Commission continued to engage with the leadership of the Nigeria Air Force and released the officers to the NAF Provost after they had been duly profiled.”
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