Police and Vigilante Clash in Taraba Over Food Dispute

A clash between personnel of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Taraba State Command, and officers of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly occurred at Owoniyi Motor Park, Roadblock, Jalingo, around 11 p.m. on Thursday.

Speaking to journalists, VGN State Operations Commandant Muniru Bello Abubakar explained that the vigilante team has an operational office at the motor park, where they are stationed to intervene in disputes and restore normalcy.

“On this account, a lady who sells food reported to the VGN office at the park that a man ate her food and refused to pay.

“So, the lady was asked to call the man in question so the issue could be addressed calmly instead of causing public embarrassment. The lady later reported back that the man insulted her. A Vigilante personnel then decided to intervene, but when he approached the man, the man grabbed his collar and pulled him,” Abubakar stated.

According to Abubakar, the man then mobilized his friends in an attempt to attack the VGN office at the park. To prevent escalation, the Vigilante personnel contacted their State Commandant, who advised them to maintain order.

Eventually, the VGN identified the man inciting tension, apprehended him, and took him to their office. Shortly after, police officers arrived at the scene. Upon hearing what transpired, the police arrested a Vigilante member and stated that his release was conditional on the release of the detained offender.

“The situation reportedly became dramatic as both law enforcement groups, who share the same mission, clashed over the offender.

“While still in contention, the head of police operations ordered that the detained Vigilante member be released. However, as they were leaving the scene in their van, the police fired two bullets, one of which grazed a Vigilante personnel on his right foot,” he added.

At the time of filing this report, the man who refused to pay for his food had been handed over to the police.

Expressing concern over the incident, Abubakar stated that the VGN had reported the matter to relevant authorities, emphasizing that such situations require cooperation between security forces rather than escalation.