Police officers, Civil Defence Corps members engage in public brawl

The police officers accused the officers of the civil defence corps of interfering with their duties.

Some Nigerian police officers on Tuesday afternoon engaged in a public brawl with officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at Berger roundabout in Abuja.

A witness, who did not want his name published, told PREMIUM TIMES that about ten police officers picked a fight with three Civil Defence officers because they felt the latter were interfering with their duty.

“The police officers were trying to stop a vehicle and the Civil Defence people came to interfere, then the police officers who were more in number attacked them and started beating them up.

“I saw an officer using a whip on the Civil Defence guy while another pointed a gun at him,” the witness said.

Another witness said there were sporadic gunshots with both parties lashing out at each other with whips.

“There were gunshots and then I saw a police officer flogging a Civil Defence officer with a whip while he was trying to run away,” the witness, who would also not like to be named, said.

The fierce fight caused a major traffic gridlock at Berger Roundabout up to Utako Area of Abuja.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that it took the intervention of a Divisional Police Officer from Utako Police Station to resolve the fracas.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Abuja Police Command, Doris England, said she is not aware of the situation and would make inquires about it.

Efforts to reach Ms. England later, proved abortive as she did not pick or return calls made to her phone.

It has only been about six months since members of the Civil Defence Corps were allowed to carry arms.

The federal government on June 13, approved the carrying of arms by officials of the civil defence.

They move, it was said, was to assist other security personnel in the security of lives and property in the country.