Tricycle Operator Dies in Police Clash in Taraba

On Tuesday, a tricycle operator was reported dead following a clash with police officers in Jalingo, Taraba State, around 5:00 PM. The incident began when police conducted a patrol operation and attempted to arrest the operator, who reportedly jumped from a patrol vehicle.

This led to an accident involving two tricycles carrying passengers, sparking anger among other tricycle operators who gathered at the scene to protest, causing significant traffic disruptions. Witnesses reported that the protests escalated, with police allegedly firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The Taraba State Police Command, represented by Victor Mshelizah, denied that police officers shot the operator, stating that the deceased was not a victim of police gunfire. The incident was described as a result of a stop-and-search operation when the tricycle rider attempted to evade a checkpoint, leading to a collision.

Two other individuals, a man and a woman, sustained serious injuries in the accident and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.