The soldier, who was arrested for allegedly killing an Islamic cleric in Yobe State, Goni Aisami, was recently redeployed for allegedly stealing N480,000 belonging to his commanding officer.
The soldier, John Gabriel, a Lance Corporal, attached to the Nigerian Army 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, was interrogated as the prime suspect in the theft of N80,000 and N400,000 on two occasions before he was redeployed to the checkpoint, an army source said.
The soldier was the orderly of the battalion commander, GS Oyemole, a colonel, before he was asked to leave sometime in July because of his dubious character, the source who confided in PREMIUM TIMES added.
“The commanding officer had to redeploy him because he could not establish any evidence of stealing but he cursed him and told him that if it’s his character he would meet his end”, he added.
“Ironically, the day the Commanding Officer, Mr Oyemole handed over to a new commanding officer Mr Gabriel was arrested for killing the Islamic Cleric,” the source in the army revealed.
He killed the cleric with a gun he hid inside a folded military camp bed after the cleric gave the soldier a lift to a neighbouring town, Jaji Maji, in the Karasuwa Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson in Yobe, Dungus Abdulkarim, a deputy superintendent of police, said Mr Gabriel is in the custody of the police with his accomplice, Adamu Gideon, who is also a soldier.
The arrested soldiers are believed to be a criminal team. Sources said they killed the cleric after they saw what they thought was money in the cleric’s car who was returning from Kano.
Governor Buni reacts
Meanwhile, the Governor of the state,Mai-Mala Buni, has expressed sadness over the killing.
The governor, in a statement, through his media aide, Mamman Mohammed, described the circumstances surrounding the murder “as sad, regrettable and most unfortunate”.
“The alleged circumstances surrounding the death are most unfortunate and will be investigated thoroughly.
“Government will ensure that every detail is investigated and anyone found wanting, will face the full wrath of the law. The state government will work closely with the security agencies to unravel every detail to ensure justice is done,” the governor said.
The governor said he sympathised with the family of the deceased cleric, the people of Bade local government area and the entire state over the death.
He called on residents to remain calm and law-abiding and that investigation into the killing was ongoing and would be pursued to its logical conclusion.
He prayed to Allah for the repose of the soul of the deceased and to his immediate family and the entire people of the state, the fortitude to bear the loss.
MEANWHILE,
The Headquarters Sector 2 Joint Task Force North-east Operation Hadin Kai of the Nigerian Army has constituted a panel to investigate the alleged complicity of its soldiers accused of killing an Islamic cleric in Yobe state, Goni Gashua.
In a statement on Sunday by one of its spokespersons, Kennedy Anyanwu, a captain, the army also said an investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the identities of the soldiers.
While confirming the incident, the army described it as highly regrettable “given the Sectors disposition and zero tolerance on violation of Code of Conduct and Rules of engagement for troops.”
In its statement on Sunday, the army said, “The sector, in collaboration with Yobe State Police Command is carrying out investigation to unravel the identity of the suspected soldiers.
“Additionally, the Sector has instituted a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstance surrounding the unfortunate incident. At the end of the investigation, the soldiers will be made to face the full wrath of both military and civil laws.”
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Read full statement:
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PRESS RELEASE
RE: POLICE ARREST TWO SOLDIERS OVER MURDER OF ISLAMIC CLERIC
The attention of Headquarters Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai has been drawn to a publication by Premium Times dated 21 August 2022 alleging that the Nigerian Police in Yobe State have arrested two soldiers over the murder of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Gashua.
The Sector, in collaboration with Yobe State Police Command is carrying out investigation to unravel the identity of the suspected soldiers. Additionally, the Sector has instituted a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstance surrounding the unfortunate incident. At the end of the investigation, the soldiers will be made to face the full wrath of both military and civil laws.
This incident is highly regrettable given the Sectors disposition and zero tolerance on violation of Code of Conduct and Rules of engagement for troops.
Consequently, the Sector wishes to commiserate with the family of the victim and the good people of Yobe State and promise that justice would be served accordingly.
KENNEDY ANYANWU
Captain
Assistant Director Army Public Relations
Headquarters Sector 2
Operation HADIN KAI
21 August 2022
