Nigerian soldiers

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Two soldiers who allegedly disrupted the sitting of a mobile court at the Oba Ovoranmen Square, in Benin, Edo State capital, were arrested on Thursday.

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

Sources said policemen attached to the mobile court resisted the soldiers, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire.

The soldiers were said to have overpowered the policemen, scattered the mobile court, overturned the seats and canopies and set free arrested suspects.

Acting Managing Director of Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr. Aiyamenkhue Akonofua, who confirmed the incident, said several persons were injured in the melee, adding that the Presiding Magistrate, Ihenyen Aigbediofe, was whisked away to safety.

Akonofua disclosed that two out of the five soldiers were arrested and that the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Haliru Gwandu, has assured them that the law would take its course.

Edo Police Spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, who also confirmed the arrest of the soldiers, adding that the State Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the matter.

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