Civilians cry out as uniformed men go wild in Jos
Residents in Jos have cried out over the frequent abuse of civilians by men in uniform in the Plateau State Capital.
The latest call to curtail their excesses was made recently after a fight ensued between a civilian (name withheld) and a military personnel known only as DD John, a flight officer attached to the Joint Tax Force (JTF). The fight was said to have ensued at Spring Valley, a popular relaxation sport in the area.
An eyewitness account told our correspondent that four group of civilians came to the relaxation center to spend the evening. “While sipping their drinks, one young man sat close to them at a different table, smoking and puffing directly to their face; unknown to them, the smoker was a military officer but was in mufti.
“When the fellows motioned on him to shift direction so as to stop puffing smoke on their faces, the officer stood up and slapped one of the civilians and, in retaliation, fight ensued, which led to the military personnel calling for reinforcement that led to a heavy show down at the relaxation spot that evening,” our source said.
In the process however, one of the civilian’s vehicle was smashed and badly damaged with the windshield broken beyond repairs.
The owner of the vehicle, who does not want his name in print, told The Daily Times that they have to scamper for safety when the military officer called for reinforcement leaving his car behind.
However, when the soldiers could no longer find them, the military men allegedly descended on the red End of Discussion Honda, having identified it to belong to one of the cars of the fleeing civilians in the fight.
The Divisional Police Office (DPO) who is handling the matter at Anglo Jos Divisional Police Post said that the matter is still being investigated, assuring both parties that the Police is committed to restoring peace.
The spokesperson for the JTF, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said he is yet to be briefed on the matter, but promised to communicate development to our correspondent in due time.
