Two soldiers who allegedly killed a popular Islamic Cleric in Yobe state have been dismissed by the Nigerian Army after being tried and found guilty of of the gruesome act.
The soldiers were also said to have stolen the cleric’s car after shooting him dead.
The acting Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Abdullahi Osabo who made the disclosure said before their dismissal said the suspects attached to the 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru in Yobe State.
The duo were found guilty on two-count charge; namely: failure to perform military duties; and conduct to prejudice of service discipline.
Before their actual dismissal, the army reduced their ranks from lance corporal to private.
Earlier, spokesperson of the Yobe state Police DSP Dungus abdulkarim, in a statement identified the two soldiers as John Gabriel and Adamu Gideon adding that they were arrested immediately apprehended at the crime scene.
Part of the statement reads: “In its relentless efforts towards combating crimes and criminality, the Yobe State Police Command recorded another mile stone in the arrest of suspects (two soldiers) in a case of armed robbery and homicide.
“On 19th August, 2022 detectives from Karasuwa Divisional Police Headquarters in response to a distress call apprehended N/A13/69/1522 Lance Corporal John Gabriel and N/A13/70/6552 Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon both attached to 241 RECCE Battalion, Nguru.
“One of the assailants (L/CPL John Gabriel) whose intention was to rob unsuspecting motorists of their vehicle, left the barracks on the date in mufti having concealed his rifle in a camp bed for military check point at Nguru at about 2200hrs.
“Meanwhile, one Sheik Goni Aisami, a prominent Islamic scholar based in Gashua who was travelling alone from Kano to Gashua in his Honda accord Car with Reg. No KBT 31 AE arrived at the military check point at Nguru.
“L/CPL John Gabriel requested the Islamic cleric to offer him a lift to Jaji Maji which he obliged. That while driving and before reaching Jaji-Maji town the Assailant asked him to park that there was an unusual noise at the rear tyre.
“That when the cleric came down while checking the tyre, the suspect brought out his rifle, shot and killed him. He dragged the body and hid it in the bush.”