2 soldiers arrested for disrupting mobile court

Two soldiers have been arrested for allegedly disrupting the sitting of a mobile court at the Oba Ovoranmen Square, in Benin, the Edo State capital.

It was gathered that five soldiers stormed the mobile court after a retired soldier failed to secure the release of his wife who was arrested and about to be arraigned before the court.

It was further gathered that the policemen attached to the mobile court resisted the attempt by the soldiers to free the woman which led to exchange of gunfire.

Witness said the soldiers, however, overpowered the policemen and disrupted the mobile court while the arrested suspects were set free.

Speaking on the development, Acting Managing Director, Edo State Waste Management Board, Prince Aiyamenkhue Akonofua, said several persons were injured in the crisis, adding, two of the five soldiers were arrested and that the state Police Commissioner, Haliru Gwandu, had assured them that the law would take its course.

Confirming the arrest, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Moses Nkombe, said that the state Criminal Investigation Department had taken over the investigation.

He said: “It is true. The soldiers went to the mobile court to free some suspects. Our policemen resisted them.”

When contacted, the 4th Brigade Headquarters spokesperson, Muhammed Maidawa, said investigation into the matter was ongoing and that whoever was found wanting would be appropriately sanctioned, saying: “Yes there was a misunderstanding and investigation is ongoing on the matter.”