The Nigerian Army has dismissed John Gabriel and Lance Cpl Adamu Gideon, who allegedly killed Sheikh Goni Aisami, an Islamic scholar, in Yobe State.
Lt. Col. Ibrahim Osabo, the acting Commanding Officer of the 241 RECCE Battalion, Nguru, Yobe State, told journalists on Saturday that the two soldiers were reduced from Lance Corporals to private soldiers before they were dismissed.
They were de-kited in Nguru.
“You are all aware of what happened a week ago where the two service personnel of this unit went out and committed the atrocity, and the Nigerian Police personnel arrested them,” Lt. Col Osabo said, addressing newsmen.
“Thanks to Almighty Allah, we can do the needful. We initiated a military police investigation together with the Nigerian Police.”
He stated that the outcome of the investigation provided the latitude to sanction the suspects accordingly and “they are now officially dismissed regiment from the Nigerian Army.”
Osabo added that the dismissed soldiers would be handed to the Nigeria Police Force to face civil prosecution.
“We are taking them to our Sector Headquarters in Damaturu; the Sector Commander will officially hand them over to the Nigeria Police to face civil prosecution. They no longer represent Nigerian Army,” he added.
The Commanding Officer condemned their actions, saying it was not a true reflection of the Nigerian Army personnel.
On Tuesday, the Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, announced that police operatives apprehended the suspects in connection with the Sheik’s murder on August 16.
