There was pandemonium on Wednesday when some policemen and officials of the Nigeria Prisons Service clashed over the restriction of movement around the Edo State High Court complex in Benin.
Movement of vehicles had been restricted by the police on major routes leading to the complex to ward off thugs and beef up security around the building, which served as the venue of the state governorship election petitions tribunal.
It was, however, learnt that trouble started when a female prison officer was prevented from gaining access into the state headquarters of the service which was also located on Reservation Road.
It was gathered that the prison officer, said to be a superintendent and dressed in mufti, had insisted on driving towards her office after she was advised to take an alternative route.
But a source, who did not want to be mentioned, said the police operatives refused to grant her access even after she identified herself.
The situation was said to have led to a hot exchange of words and attracted the attention of passers-by and motorists while the tribunal was in session.
It was also learnt that a violent confrontation later ensued between the policemen and some prison officers, who shoved one another during the argument.
The Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, could not be reached for comments as calls to his telephone number were not picked.
The Public Relations Officer of the state prison command, Aminu Sulaiman, confirmed the incident, adding that it would be investigated.
Source :punch
