There are strong indications that soldiers involved in the killing of policemen in Taraba State may face court-martial.

THISDAY gathered that the panel which sat in Taraba and Abuja had rounded off its sitting, preparatory to submitting report to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin.

A source close to the panel said the panel would recommend disciplinary and punitive measures including dismissal and court-martial in the case of indicted military personnel.

“The panel has concluded work, having sat in Taraba and Abuja. It has also received and analysed submissions.

“Presently, it is compiling witness and video evidence preparatory to submission to the Chief of Defence Staff”, the source said.

THISDAY further gathered that the panel had recommended the dismissal of all indicted personnel of both agencies who would subsequently face court-martial in the case of the army and orderly room trial and dismissal in the case of the police.

The panel had received submissions from witnesses including police and military personnel, civilian witnesses within the area where the shooting took place.

The panel also interviewed the kidnap kingpin, at the center of the shooting, Alhaji Bala Wadume, who was set free by soldiers of the 93 Battalion, Takum, Taraba State after shooting three policemen and two civilians leading him to the Taraba State Police Command in Jalingo, Taraba State capital.

The soldiers had after killing the policemen, set Wadume free but he was later rearrested by police in Kano State.

The killing had triggered public outrage and deep mistrust between the Police and Nigerian Army, forcing the two security agencies to engage in a war of words leading to the setting up of the Rear Admiral IT Olaiya-led panel which sat for more than two weeks. (THISDAY)

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