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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Army said it has commenced a full scale investigation into the alleged involvement of two of its soldiers arrested by the police, over the killing of an Islamic cleric, Goni Gashua, in Yobe State, last weekend.
The police in the state had announced the arrest of two soldiers over their alleged involvement in the murder of the cleric who was said to have given a ride by one of the soldiers.
The army said that the investigation was being conducted, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to authenticate the identities of the two suspects said to be soldiers. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Headquarters, Sector 2, in Yobe State, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, made the disclosure in a statement.
The statement reads: “The attention of headquarters, Sector 2, Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai has been drawn to a publication by Premium Times dated August 21, 2022, alleging that the Nigeria 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 an 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 for 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 promises that justice would be served accordingly.”
