The friction between the Benue State Government and the Nigeria Police Force took a dramatic twist on Tuesday.

This was when the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Jimoh Moshood and Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor, Mr Terver Akase appeared as guests on Channels Television breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily.

The Police spokesperson described Governor Samuel Ortom during the heated argument on the programme as a drowning man while Mr Terver Akase questioned the competence of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris claiming that the IGP should resign or be sacked for ‘lies.’

Following violent attacks in Benue State, many have been left dead leading to mass burial of the victims by the state government while several others have been displayed.

Nigerians who watched the programme as the Police Spokesperson and Benue State governor’s Chief Press Secretary exchange words took to social media to express in reaction.

While some condemned Mr Moshood for calling Benue State Governor a drowning man, others opined that the Benue State government is merely pointing accusing fingers at the Police in order to trade blames.

Read the mixed reactions on Twitter, below:

Wonders! Did I just hear the PRO of our country’s police .@PoliceNG describe Governor of a State of this federation as a “a drowning man” on .@channelstv ? He justified his “jankaraization” of our National institution as “because the Governor asked his Boss to resign”. WAAAAWU!

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) February 6, 2018

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Ortom should resign or be impeached for sponsoring armed militia.

— Ibrahim Hussaini (@thegildedway) February 6, 2018

Dear @PoliceNG, I believe so much in you, I know you face a lot of challenges but i am sad that your PRO can call a sitting Governor on national television a DROWNING MAN, this shows that the police is partisan..
We deserve an apology@Mbuhari @OfficialPDPNig @APCNigeria

— Freke Idio (@freke_idio) February 6, 2018

Open confession of dictatorship is far less dangerous than sham democracy. One can defend oneself against the former; the latter is like a creeper attached to the body of a drowning man. #MigunaCharged

— Akivaga Jayuga (@AkivagaJayuga) February 6, 2018

How are we sure d benue govt is not lying too??
And if it turn out to be it d benue govt do we impeach d governor or will he step down too??!!!

— Nazeer Gusau (@Negzie) February 6, 2018

He doesn’t deserve to remain in office as Police PRO. Let him be redeployed to operations. This lawlessness is just unbelievable

— Christopher Olukoju (@chrisolukoju) February 6, 2018

Governor @OrtomSamuel wrote letters,raised alarm and did what was suppose to be done but the FG gave him deaf eyes until the killings got this bad. I will continue to stand with my Governor because he deserves our sympathy. He has fought the FG for our good

— Ukan Kurugh (@Dr_Ukan) February 4, 2018

‘To your tents, oh Israel’

When a Police Force PRO comes out openly and calls the Governor of a state they should be protecting, “a drowning man”, then, the die is cast! Sides have been taken!

— Ufongo (@Ufongo1) February 6, 2018

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and Federal lawmaker, Ben Murray Bruce also voiced their opinion using their official Twitter handle. While the Ekiti State Governor said the comment by the IGP is an insult to all governors in Nigeria, the lawmaker’s Tweet was about herdsmen got rifles.

The comment made on Channels Television Sunrise Daily today, by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO); Mr. Jimoh Moshood, describing the Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is a “drowning man” is an insult on all the governors in Nigeria.

— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) February 6, 2018