By Oluwatosin Maliki
A soldier has been arrested by the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri for allegedly killing a truck driver at a checkpoint along Maiduguri -Dikwa-Gamboru Road.
Quest Times gathered that the incident occurred following a misunderstanding between the soldier and the truck driver at the checkpoint.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident which happened on Boxing Day, had resulted in a massive protest by commercial drivers, causing traffic on the road which left many travellers stranded.
Confirming the arrest in a statement on Thursday, the 7 Division Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col. A.Y. Jingina, stated that 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 statement added.
“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, in response to the incident, the Borno State Government, released a statement through the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, assuring the public that 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.
It was learned that 7 Division of the Nigerian Army is the youngest division among the 6 divisions of the Nigerian Army.
Additionally, the division was set up to decisively counter the threat of insurgency, terrorism and armed banditry prevalent in the North Eastern part of the country.
The military website noted that it became operational on Aug 22, 2013, with its area of operational responsibilities covering three North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe state.