Police clarify controversial clash with Air Force in Delta

Eric Patrick

An intense clash broke out between members of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force at a checkpoint in Jeddo, Delta State, leading to widespread turmoil in the vicinity.

The clash occurred on Tuesday around 5pm at the Air Force checkpoint in Jeddo, Okpe Local Government Area of the state after police officers arrested a suspect found in possession of illicit drugs.

The video which has since gone viral on social media and was seen by FirstNews, shows moment some armed policemen and air force officials exchanging blows. 

In a statement by the Delta Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, and shared on his X.com handle on Wednesday, explained that the incident began when QRS operatives flagged down a Toyota Corolla with registration number AKD-73-FL during a routine patrol. 

Edafe further explained that the police officers were transporting a suspect found in possession of substances believed to be codeine, Indian hemp, and Canadian loud when they were unexpectedly stopped at the checkpoint.

According to Edafe, an Air Force personnel who allegedly recognized the suspect intervened and demanded his release, challenging the police officer's authority to detain him.

Edafe's statement read, "The Policemen attached to QRS were on their way with a suspect found in possession of substances suspected to be codeine, Indian Hemp, Canadian loud. But the personnel of the airforce who happened to know the suspect intercepted and insisted that the policemen must release them before proceeding; hence, they attacked the policemen unprovoked.

"This issue is being attended to. We recognize the cordial relationship we have with the Nigeria Airforce in Delta State, the Delta State Police command under the leadership of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, and the Airforce authorities are looking into this incident and setting up modalities to ensure that this shameful incident does not repeat itself again."

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, described the incident as "embarrassing" and assured that investigations were underway in collaboration with the Air Force authorities to prevent a recurrence.

The statement partly read, "The command is aware of the embarrassing situation between Policemen attached to the Quick Response Squad of the Command and some Airforce personnel attached to Airforce base Jeddo in Okpe Local government Area where the personnel of Nigeria Airforce without any provocation attacked the policemen who were performing their lawful duty.

"On 11/2/2025, at about 1700 hours, operatives of Quick Response Squad (QRS), while on crime prevention patrol, flagged down a Toyota Corolla car with reg. No. AKD-73-FL, but the occupants of the vehicle, on sighting the police, took to their heels, which prompted the policemen to go after them. They arrested one of the suspects, identified as Ibohama Precious, aged 25 years, and recovered some weed suspected to be Indian hemp, Canadian loud, and other hard drugs. 

"While the Policemen were on their way to the station alongside the suspect and exhibit, upon getting to the Airforce checkpoint at Jeddo, they were stopped by the Airforce personnel and were told that they wouldn't be allowed to proceed until they released the suspects they were carrying which the policemen vehemently resisted and subsequently, the Airforce personnel attacked the Policemen without justification.

"The Delta State Police command under the leadership of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, the Nigeria Airforce, Navy, Army, and other security agencies in the state have a cordial working relationship worthy of emulation, and the incident is indeed an embarrassing one.

"The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda and Airforce authorities are looking into the ugly incident and putting all modalities in place to forestall future occurrence of this embarrassing situation."