Expdonaloaded News; 15 injured as soldiers, police clash in Benin

A clash between men of the Ni­gerian Army and policemen from the Oba Market Police Station in Be­nin City, the Edo State capital, has left 15 per­sons, including a preg­nant woman injured.
Following the clash, residents and shops owners fled for safety, as tear gas canisters and several shots were fired when soldiers in over 10 Toyota Hilux vans in­vaded the police station.
Those injured were as a result of stampede.

As the invasion lasted, policemen in the station reportedly locked them­selves inside the station while business owners locked their shops to prevent looting.
It was learnt that the soldiers’ over two hours siege at the police sta­tion came to an end at 6:20pm, following in­tervention by top police officers in the state.
Trouble reportedly started when 10 police­men allegedly beat two soldiers to stupor at the traffic at Ibiwe junction opposite the Oba Mar­ket in vengeance for the soldiers beating up a female traffic warden who did not allow them to pass through despite heavy traffic.
One of the soldiers was said to have repeat­edly slapped the woman until policemen inter­vened. This resulted in a free for all.
The policemen were said to have dragged the soldiers to the police sta­tion and detained them.
It was learnt that a sol­dier who witnessed the beating called his col­leagues and soldiers in 10 Hilux vans stormed the police station.
When contacted, Spokesman for the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Jonah Unuakha­lu, said he was yet to be briefed and promised to call back after getting details.