Ndudi Anyim
The Nigerian Army has launched an investigation into the alleged killing of a watermelon seller by a yet-to-be identified soldier in Zamfara State.
Reports had it that the soldier who patronized the deceased refused to pay, and while the seller insisted on getting paid, the soldier allegedly shot him dead.
Youths in the area had reportedly taken over the Gusau-Sokoto Road to protest the killing, setting an army patrol vehicle ablaze.
Reacting to the reports in a statement, the Nigerian Army said the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Major General Usman Yusuf had commissioned a panel to unravel the circumstance surrounding the incident as well as fish out the culprit.
The statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a news report alleging that a water melon seller was shot dead while demanding his pay from a military personnel who bought water melon from him and refused to pay.
“It was also alleged some angry youths in the area reacted and chased the soldier into a hotel along Gusau-Sokoto Road. Also stated in the report was that angry the youths blocked Gusau–Sokoto Road bye-pass and set an army operational vehicle ablaze.
“The NA wishes to state that the sad incident is quite regrettable and condole with the family of the deceased. It is worthy of note that the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Major General Usman Yusuf has since commissioned an investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the altercations which eventually claimed one life as efforts are ongoing to arrest the the yet to be identified perpetrator.
“Additionally, it is important to state that no military operational vehicle was set ablaze as claimed in the report.”
The NA further stated that it remains professional and will never condone any act of misconduct by troops against the very people they are deployed to protect.
“The Army wish to state clearly that, the alleged perpetrator once identified will be subjected to a thorough investigation and if found wanting, will be made to face the full wrath of the law in accordance with extant provisions.
“Furthermore, the NA wish to assure the good people of Zamfara State that normalcy has been restored in the general area and the Army remains committed in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities. The Army is also working to put in place measures to ensure that such incident never occur again,” Yerima added.