Four persons were shot dead and six injured in Jos on Wednesday evening when security operatives tried to quell a family feud.
However, a mobile police officer, who allegedly killed the persons, had been arrested by the police authorities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident, which occurred at Tudun Wada in Jos North Local Government Area, was as a result of a fight between two brothers, Sunday and Nengak, in a joint.
An eyewitness, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said that an argument broke out between the two brothers and a fight ensued when Nengak slapped his senior brother, Sunday.
He said that Sunday’s friend, who reprimanded Nengak for disrespecting his senior brother, also invited his soldier friend, attached to the Military Special Task Force (STF).
“The soldier, who is Nengak’s kinsman, came with a mobile police officer and attempted to arrest Sunday.
“But the youths of the area objected to the arrest but before they could know what was happening, the security men, who came around, began to shoot into the air to disperse them and thereafter shot at the youths,’’ the eyewitness said.
Mr Samuel Dabai, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Plateau, who confirmed the incident, said that the mobile police officer had been arrested.
“We learnt that a mobile officer killed four persons and injured six others with his rifle when he went berserk. The officer is a known person and he is under arrest as I am talking to you now.’’
Dabai, who expressed dismay at the attitude of the police officer, described the incident as “very sad and unfortunate. “
He, nonetheless, called on the public not to panic over the incident, adding that they should go about their normal businesses because “we are on top of the situation. “