The Police Command in Yobe State, Tuesday, confirmed the arrest of two soldiers for their alleged complicity in the brutal murder of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami.
Sheikh Aisami was killed in his car while traveling from Kano State to Gashua in Yobe State. He reportedly met his death in the hands of the suspects who hiked a ride from him.
Confirming the arrest in Damaturu, the capital, on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Dungus Abdulkarim, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, said the suspects, Lance Corporal John Gabriel and Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, were arrested on August 19, 2022.
Abdulkarim disclosed that both soldiers were from the 241 RECCE Battalion, Nguru, Yobe.
According to him, preliminary investigation had revealed that the cleric had given a ride to Gabriel, the principal suspect, while traveling from Kano State.
But on their way to Jaji-Maji, a village along Gashua town, where the soldier said he was going to, he allegedly told the cleric that there was an unusual noise at the rear tire, which made him (Aisami) to stop.
And that while the cleric came down to check the noise, Gabriel, the principal suspect, allegedly brought out his service rifle concealed in a camp bed and shot him to death.
After committing the dastardly act, then the principal suspect allegedly dragged the body and hid it in the bush and tried to take off with the murdered cleric’s car. But when the car wouldn’t start, the principal suspect allegedly called Gideon, the second suspect, on phone, requesting him in towing the vehicle.
In another development, CSP Abdulkarim, the police spokesman, also disclosed that on August 14, 2022, the command arrested one 42-year-old Jobdi Muhammadu who he described as a member of the kidnapping syndicate allegedly terrorising communities in parts of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
The police spokesman further disclosed that the command also arrested two suspected armed robbers who specialised in breaking into people’s houses and vehicles.
“The modus operandi of these hoodlums is to hibernate in market and bank premises and watch out for potential victims.” he said.
He said the suspects would eventually trail and swoop on customers who withdraw large sums of money by burgling their vehicles or homes.
The PPRO, on behalf of the command, commiserated with the family of the deceased cleric and appreciated the cooperation and support of the Yobe Government.
He urged citizens to continue to support the police by providing useful and credible information at all times.
