Army begins probe of trader ‘killed’ by soldier

The Nigerian Army says it has begun its investigation on the alleged killing of a water melon seller by a soldier in Zamfara State.

The deceased was reportedly said to have asked the personnel to pay for the good he bought.

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Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Tuesday, said the incident was quite regrettable, adding that the Nigerian army condoles with the family of the deceased.

He said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Maj.-Gen. Usman Yusuf, had since commissioned a panel to unravel the circumstances that led to the altercations which eventually claimed one life.

According to him, efforts are ongoing to arrest the yet-to-be-identified perpetrator, adding that no military operational vehicle was set ablaze as claimed in a report surrounding the incident.

He said the army remained professional and would never condone any act of misconduct by troops against the “very people they are deployed to protect’’.

He said the alleged perpetrator, once identified, would be subjected to a thorough investigation and if found wanting, would be made to face the full wrath of the law in accordance with extant provisions.

“Furthermore, the army wish to assure the good people of Zamfara state that normalcy has been restored in the general area and remains committed in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

“The army is also working to put in place measures to ensure that such incident never occur again,’’ he said.