Navy, Police parley over disagreement

By EVELYN USMAN

NAVAL authorities and those of the Nigeria Police met yesterday to address the disaffection between the junior officers of the lower cadre in both forces, with a view to checkmating future confrontation.

It would be recalled some Naval ratings and policemen of the Special Taskforce, in Apapa area of Lagos, clashed  recently.

As a first move, the new Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Apapa, Lagos, Rear Admiral Ibok Ibass, said there was need to organise a forum where men of the lower cadre in both forces, would be made to understand that both services were fighting a common goal.

Ibass, who made the assertion during a courtesy visit on the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone 2,Onikan, Mr. Mamman Tsafe, noted that the disaffection only existed between the lower ranks.

He likened the friction to that between siblings.

According to him: “I believe we can get the men to know that we are all fighting a common cause is by interaction, a forum whereby they meet and understand our   common goal on security”.

In his remarks, the AIG, described the clash as the highest level of discountenance, saying the good relationship between senior officers at both commands,doused the tension.