By Abdulkareem Haruna

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – An unplanned confrontation between police and immigration officials in Maiduguri, Borno state, over control of a security outpost building resulted in a gun firing on Friday, November 17, causing widespread fear among local residents.

The skirmish occurred at a police outpost located in a residential housing estate, know as 777 Housing, along the Maiduguri-Kano highway.

The security outpost was originally built for the police to secure the estate. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has held the outpost for a long period after it was deserted due to repeated assaults on security personnel.

In a recent bid to strengthen city security, Borno State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Yusuf, directed divisional police officers to retake all abandoned outposts.

According to an officer from the Bulunkutu Division who spoke to journalists the police intended to regain control over the outpost from the NIS. However, their efforts devolved into chaos when immigration officials denied them entry.

Caught off guard by the abrupt morning action, the NIS officials chose to hold their ground at the outpost, which still bear the Nigeria police emblem.

Tension mounted as gunfire were shot nto the sky, resulting in panic among the 777 housing estate residents. Several residents, misunderstanding the exchange for a Boko Haram attack, fled in fear.

The situation was eventually diffused by nearby Nigerian Army troops who stepped in and pacified both the police and NIS officials.

Furthermore, a mediation team from the Crack Division, led by CSP Mohammed Ibrahim, was said to have been sent by the Commissioner of Police to mediate between the contending parties.