The Borno State Police Command has refuted social media claims suggesting that a conflict erupted between its personnel and officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) regarding the control of an outpost at 777 Housing Estate in Maiduguri, the state capital,leadership reports.
In a press release delivered by the spokesperson, Nahum Daso Kenneth, on Friday in Maiduguri, the Police Command clarified that the rumors implied an unexpected clash between Police and Immigration officials on Friday, November 17, 2023. The misinformation alleged a shootout involving different types of firearms, causing anxiety among local residents.
According to the unfounded reports, the purported clash occurred at a police outpost within the 777 housing estate along the Maiduguri-Kano highway. The NIS had reportedly been occupying this outpost since 2014 due to a prior abandonment caused by repeated attacks on security personnel in the state.
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However, responding swiftly through the statement, the Police PRO stated, “The attention of the Command has been drawn to fake rumours concerning the exchange of gunfire between the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) personnel at 777 Housing Estate Maiduguri.”
The statement continued, “It is of interest to the general public to note that the Police have reclaimed 23 outposts across the 9 Police Divisions within the Maiduguri Municipality to bring the Police closer to the communities and improve Police response time. The ownership of 777 Housing Estate outpost has not been in dispute as it belongs to the Nigeria Police and marked with Nigeria Police Insignia.”
The Police clarified that they took control of the outpost on November 15 and are working collaboratively with the Nigeria Immigration Service, which occupies a portion of the compound. The statement emphasized that there was no dispute or exchange of gunfire between the Police and Immigration. The Borno Police Command urged the public to disregard the baseless news and continue with their lawful activities.
