Many feared dead as Naval officers raze police station over dispute in Calabar
A bloody assault on a police division in Calabar by some suspected officials of the Nigerian Navy has reportedly led to the death of an unconfirmed number of persons.
The Nigerian Navy personnel were said to have attacked the Akim Divisional Headquarters late Tuesday night.
The incident was reportedly occurred as result of a dispute between a police traffic officer and a naval officer at a traffic light near the Calabar Stadium along the Airport Road on Tuesday afternoon.
An unidentified naval officer was reportedly shot in the left shoulder by a policeman over an alleged traffic offence.
Witnesses say “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 around 5pm.”
“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.
“However, around 8:00pm, when everyone thought the matter had been resolved, naval officers descended on Akim Police Station and started shooting and burnt down the facility.”
The witness added, “We confirmed three bodies but we feared there are more.”
Reports say the naval officers prevented fire fighters from extinguishing the inferno set at the police station.
