Arson Attack Kills Two Police Officers

Two Nigerian police officers have been killed after members of the Nigerian navy torched a police station in Akim in the southeastern state of Cross River on Tuesday.

According to reports, the attack took place after a dispute between a navy officer and a policeman, reportedly over a traffic fine.

“The unfortunate incident arose from an issue at a checkpoint, a traffic light spot at the stadium… where a policeman was trying to control traffic…It led to a misunderstanding between a policeman and a naval officer resulting to physical combat [sic],” governor of Cross River state, Benedict Ayade, said in a statement.

It is not clear what transpired after the fight between the police officer and the navy officer or how things escalated to the arson attack.

The Nigerian navy has said that they are not taking the matter lightly and that they will be investigating the issue properly.

“Let me assure you that the culprits will be brought to book, properly investigated and appropriate sanctions meted on them,” navy commander, Salihu Jubril said.

Another policeman who was also in the station at the time of the fire is currently in a critical condition in hospital.