Confirmation has been made by the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri regarding the detention of a soldier allegedly responsible for the death of a truck driver at a checkpoint along the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru Road.
The reported occurrence is said to have happened due to a disagreement between the soldier and the truck driver at the checkpoint.
Information reaching Africa Today News, New York, indicates that the incident, occurring on Boxing Day, led to a protest-induced boycott of the vibrant border road by commercial drivers, causing extensive inconvenience for travelers.
Lt. Col. A.Y. Jingina, the 7 Division Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest on Thursday in a statement, revealing that the Army had launched an investigation in response to a complaint from the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
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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.
Reports indicate that the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army holds the distinction of being the youngest among the six divisions within the Nigerian Army.
The division’s inception was driven by the need to decisively tackle the looming threats of insurgency, terrorism, and armed banditry in the North Eastern region of the country.