The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the restoration of normalcy following a disturbance that disrupted traffic in the Roadblock area of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, the incident began when a commercial tricycle rider allegedly attempted to evade a police checkpoint after sighting officers on duty.
Preliminary investigations by the Command indicated that the rider drove against the flow of traffic and collided head-on with another tricycle that was lawfully using the road.
The crash was confirmed to have left a female passenger injured and requiring medical attention.
The incident reportedly triggered anger among some tricycle operators who, alongside a group described by the authorities as miscreants, blocked the road in protest. The action caused significant traffic congestion and public disorder in the area.
“Security agencies responded swiftly to the situation. A joint team comprising personnel from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), MOPOL 14 Jalingo, GRA Division, Area Command Jalingo, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, and the Department of State Services (DSS) moved to the scene and dispersed the gathering,” the police said.
The Police noted that minimal force was used in restoring order and confirmed that the injured passenger was evacuated to a medical facility, where she is currently receiving treatment.
The Command stated that traffic has resumed and the area remains calm, while investigations into the incident continue. Security operatives are also maintaining surveillance to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
The Command urged road users, particularly commercial tricycle operators, to obey traffic regulations and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
Residents were also encouraged to cooperate with security agencies in maintaining peace and public order across the state.