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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Yobe LG Vice Chairman Alleges Soldiers Assaulted Him After Terrorist Encounter

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Abubakar Muhammad Nur, Vice Chairman of Geidam Local Government Area in Yobe State, claims soldiers assaulted him while he was on official duty.
  • The alleged assault occurred amid heightened security tensions following an exchange of gunfire between security forces and suspected Boko Haram terrorists near the town.
  • Nur stated he was beaten despite identifying himself, sustaining injuries to his forehead and hand, while a resident reported ongoing restrictions and an unofficial curfew.

Abubakar Muhammad Nur, the Vice Chairman of Geidam Local Government Area in Yobe State, has accused soldiers of the Nigerian Army of assaulting and injuring him during his official duties on Friday. Nur stated in an exclusive interview that the soldiers beat him even after he identified himself as the vice chairman of the council.

They have been assaulting people since they exchanged fire with Boko Haram terrorists.

— Abubakar Muhammad NurDescribing the alleged indiscriminate assaults by soldiers.

The incident reportedly took place amidst heightened security tensions in Geidam, following an exchange of gunfire between security forces and suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the outskirts of the town. Nur alleged that soldiers had been indiscriminately assaulting residents, noting that no official curfew had been announced.

As my chairman is absent for other official engagements, by the constitution, I am supposed to be the chief security officer in town.

— Abubakar Muhammad NurExplaining his role and reason for being out during the security incident.

Nur explained that he went out on Friday morning to assess the situation as residents were fleeing the town. He decided not to flee, asserting he was innocent and on official duty. However, soldiers from the 159 Battalion approached him and began beating him. He claims one soldier struck his forehead, causing significant bleeding, while another injured his hand.

I decided not to run because I am innocent and I was on my official duty.

— Abubakar Muhammad NurStating his reason for not fleeing the town.

Meanwhile, a Geidam resident, Idris Baffa, reported that residents had been confined to their homes for three days following security restrictions. He mentioned an initial 24-hour curfew that was later reduced, but residents remained indoors due to intermittent gunshots and a lack of official communication regarding the lifting of restrictions. Lt. A. Kandala, Acting Assistant Director of the Public Relations Unit for Operation Hadin Kai Sector 2, Damaturu, stated he was unaware of the alleged assault but promised to investigate.

I am not aware of the incident, but I will investigate and get back to you.

— Lt. A. KandalaResponding to the allegations of assault.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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