The Nigerian Army and Police have launched a joint investigation into Thursday’s shootout at the Deputy Governor’s office in Borno State.

A statement jointly issued by Col. SB Kumapayi, Commander, 7 Division Garrison, Operation Lafiya Dole and Aminchi Samaila Baraya, Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, states that “In the morning hours of Thursday, June 23, 2016, there was an unfortunate fracas between a soldier and a policeman around the office of the Deputy Governor over a disagreement which led to the unfortunate shooting of a policeman on his foot. The policeman is responding to treatment and has been visited by the theatre commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General LEO Irabor and the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Aminchi Baraya, both of whom went together to sympathise with the policeman.”

The narration continued: “By way of background from the Permanent Secretary, Government House and Security, Mr. Ahmed Sanda, the Borno State Government had on Sunday, June 19, 2016 began the distribution of rice to internally displaced persons living in the host communities of Maiduguri and Jere metropolis. The distribution was meant to take place at 28 wards of the two Local Government Areas. Unfortunately, when the exercise was launched in old Maiduguri ward for Jere Local Government Area and at Shehuri north ward for Maiduguri on Sunday, hoodlums overpowered the committee in both instances and made away with many bags of the rice meant for the displaced persons.

“As a result, officials tasked with the distribution shifted the exercise to two premises around the office of the Deputy Governor outside the Government House in order to ensure security of the food items while beneficiaries were identified and issued with allocation notes to give them access to the distribution centers.”

The exercise was said to have progressed smoothly from Sunday with some wards covered, until the unfortunate development on Thursday. “The Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force in Maiduguri jointly condemn this unfortunate incident which was quickly brought under full control within minutes. The Army and the Police are jointly investigating the cause of the fracas with a view to ensuring that anyone found culpable amongst the security men will be made to face disciplinary measures in line with laid down rules of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Findings and measures taken will be brought to public knowledge as soon as possible,” the statement read.

The Army and the Police operating in Borno further assure the general public that they will continue to collaborate and work together towards their ongoing counter insurgency and civil security efforts that have led to the emerging peace in the state. The authorities called on their personnel to exercise restraint in the cause of their duties and should strive to respect one another and work together to secure innocent citizens and maintain the peace.

•Photo shows Borno Governor Kashim Shettima.