Soldier Kills Driver Over Misunderstanding At Borno Checkpoint

A soldier who allegedly killed a truck driver at a checkpoint along Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru Road has been arrested by the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.

The suspect was said to have shot the victim following a misunderstanding between them.

Osun Defender gathered that the incident which occurred on Boxing Day, has led to a boycott of the busy border road in protest by commercial drivers, leaving many travellers stranded.

The 7 Division Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col. A.Y. Jingina, while confirming the arrest of the soldier in a statement, said the Army had commenced an investigation after receiving a complaint from the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

The statement read, “Furthermore, engagement has been established with NURTW towards a peaceful resolution of the incident.

“The division has assured both the family of the deceased and the NURTW of its commitment to ensure that justice is served to the family and no stone would be left unturned in this regard.

“In the division’s effort towards ensuring that the family of the victim gets justice, the soldier in question has been arrested, and an investigation has commenced.

“It’s also worth mentioning that the division does not tolerate any form of unprofessional conduct from any personnel as we operate within the ambit of the law.

“The Division wishes to reassure the members of the general public once again that we will remain resolute and professional in the joint effort to tackle insecurity in Borno State.”

Also reacting to the incident, the Borno State Government, through the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, said it was following up on the matter to ensure justice.

“The government is following up on this matter and will take all necessary measures to ensure that the matter is properly investigated and suspects are prosecuted. Anyone who is found guilty will face the full wrath of the law.

“Meanwhile, the Borno State Government urges the general public, particularly members of the Road Transport Workers Union, to maintain patience and decorum while the matter is handled according to the law,” Tar pleaded.