The police have revealed the identities of army personnel who allegedly murdered an Islamic cleric in Yobe State last Friday.

This came as President Muhammadu Buhari described the soldiers’ actions as barbaric and asked the army to swiftly punish those responsible for the heinous act.

One Sheikh Goni Aisami was reportedly killed last Friday night near Jaji Maji in the Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The Yobe State Police Command has since confirmed through its Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkareem, that the suspects behind the crime have been apprehended and are in its custody.

Following further investigations, the police confirmed the identities of the soldiers as LCPL John Gabriel and LCPL Adamu Gideon.

Abdulkareem in a statement obtained by newsmen on Tuesday, said Gabriel and Gideon who were arrested at the scene of the crime are both attached to 241 Recce Model Battalion, Nguru.

“In its relentless efforts towards combating crimes and criminality, Yobe State Police Command recorded another milestone 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 checkpoint at Nguru at about 2200hrs,” the police statement read.

“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 checkpoint 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.”

The statement said while the cleric came down to check the tyre, the suspect brought out his rifle, shot and killed him.

The suspects reportedly dragged the cleric’s body and hid it in the bush and took possession of the vehicle with intention of taking it away but the vehicle refused to start after several attempts.

“The suspect called his accomplice L/CPL Adamu Gideon from 241 RECCE Battalion Nguru and an auto-electrician from Jaji Maji to assist in starting the car,” the police statement said.

Nemesis, however, caught up with the culprits when a passerby who was reportedly going to his farm early in the morning sighted the cleric’s lifeless body, a vehicle and some people then alerted the police from Jaji who promptly mobilized and raced down to the scene.

This according to the police report led to the arrest of the two soldiers and recovery of the corpse, decease vehicle and the rifle used in the commission of the offence.

A Volkswagen Sharon bus was reportedly also found at the scene of the crime.

The police said it is still investigating the case and that the suspects who are in its custody will be charged to court soon as it is done with the findings.

Meanwhile, President Buhari , in a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described the soldiers’ actions as barbaric.

According to the President, the soldiers’ actions have the potential to erode citizens’ trust and willingness to assist military personnel.

He stated that the perpetrator’s actions had no place in military training, and that their actions contradict the entire ethos of military life, which is based on discipline and the sanctity of innocent lives.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I am personally outraged by this criminal and wicked act committed by a law enforcement official trained to protect life,” he said.

“By virtue of our training, we are guided by a code of conduct that frowns on such reckless and criminal behavior.” It is not in our nature or training to put innocent citizens in danger. Of course, this soldier’s behavior is an isolated incident involving an individual, but it has the potential to tarnish our military’s collective image.

“This incident has the potential to make our fellow citizens fearful of assisting soldiers, thereby destroying the trust bond between our military and civilians.”

Buhari urged military authorities to swiftly punish the perpetrators of the heinous crime, who are now in police custody.

According to Shehu, the President expressed condolences to the Yobe State Government, the people of the state, and the family of the victim of this tragedy.