The Nigerian Army yesterday dismissed the two soldiers – John Gabriel and Gideon Adamu – implicated in the killing of popular Yobe Islamic cleric, Goni Aisami.
The dismissal of the soldiers was announced by the Acting General Commanding Officer (GOC) 241 RECCE Battalion, Lt-Colonel, I O Sabo, at an event held at the 241 RECCE Battalion Nguru, where the soldiers were serving.
Recall that the cleric had given him a lift from a military checkpoint where he was stationed. Gabriel confessed to killing Aisami on August 19, while trying to steal his car.
Lt-Col. Sabo told newsmen shortly after the suspects were de-kited in Nguru that the action of the soldiers did not reflect the image of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He noted that the soldiers would be handed over to the police at Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, by the Sector II headquarters, for civil prosecution of the Nigerian Army. The suspects, he said, were reduced from Lance-Corporals to private soldiers before they were dismissed.
According to the Acting GOC the dismissal of the soldiers marked the beginning of their civil trial, adding that thereafter, they will be returned to the Police to face civil prosecution for their alleged crime.
