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, joined the Nigerian Army 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, changed into interrogated because the prime suspect in theft of N80,000 and N400,000 on on two occasions redeployed to the checkpoint, an navy source stated.
The soldier turned into the orderly of the battalion commander, GS Oyemole, a colonel, before he was asked to leave something in July due to his doubtful character, the source who confided in PREMIUM TIMES added.
According to the source in Army, “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,”.
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.
Dungus Abdulkarim, the police spokesperson in Yobe, 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
However, the Governor of the state, Mai-Mala Buni, has expressed sadness over the killing.
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.
PREMIUM TIMES
