Drama in Jos as Police and Soldiers Exchange Blows Over Arrest Attempt

• An altercation occurred between Nigerian Police officers and soldiers at a popular mall along Ahmadu Bello Way in Jos.
• The fight reportedly started when a policeman prevented a soldier from arresting a roadside phone dealer who the soldier accused of spoiling his phone.
• An eyewitness claimed the soldier called colleagues who arrived in a Hilux, beat up the police officer, wounded him, and stole his gun.
• The Plateau State Police Command, through spokesperson SP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the incident, stating that the involved personnel from both agencies have been sanctioned accordingly

A physical altercation erupted on Monday between two officers of the Nigeria Police Force and a group of soldiers at a popular mall along Ahmadu Bello Way in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The incident was detailed by social media user Bello Lukman on Facebook, who stated the dispute began when a policeman stopped an aggrieved soldier from arresting a phone trader.

Lukman claimed the problem started after a soldier accused a roadside phone dealer of spoiling his phone instead of repairing it.

Lukman wrote:

“A policeman was beaten and disarmed yesterday at the GSM centre in Hamaz area of Jos, the Plateau state capital. Eyewitness report indicate that the soldiers had a problem with a road side phone dealer. The soldier was angry the dealer spoilt instead of repairing his phone. He wanted to arrest him but the policeman prevented the soldier from doing so.”

The policeman reportedly asked the soldier to take the dealer to the police station instead. Lukman claimed the soldier then called colleagues who arrived in a Hilux:

“They beat up the police, wounded him and left with his gun. Police in the area were consequently withdrawn, with the traders making frantic effort to engage other security agents to help secure the area. A bloodbath was therefore averted as the policeman also corked his gun.”

The spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alabo Alfred, later disclosed that the situation had been brought under control and called on residents to go about their normal businesses.

In a statement, SP Alfred said:

“The Plateau State Police Command is aware of the recent altercation between police officers and military personnel that occurred on December 1, 2025, at Hamaz, Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos. The incident has been taken seriously and thoroughly investigated, and the security personnel involved in the disgraceful act have been sanctioned accordingly by the management of the respective agencies.”

He assured the public that the agencies have resolved the matter:

“The misunderstanding between personnel of the two responsible security agencies has been properly addressed, and measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence. The Plateau State Police Command wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control.”