The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the prosecution of the suspected murderers of Shaykh Goni Aisami, a Yobe-based Islamic cleric. The Islamic group also raised concerns about a criminal syndicate in the Nigerian Army.

In a statement in Abuja, Ishaq Akintola, MURIC director, described the killing as callous.

“While we commend the Yobe police command for arresting the suspects, we call for swift justice in this matter. The suspects must be arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction as soon as the police complete their investigations. We warn against any hanky-panky,” Mr Akintola said.

Two soldiers shot and killed the cleric on Friday in Jaji-Maji, Karasuwa local government area.

Dungus Abdulkarim, the police spokesman in Yobe, said the soldiers, who attempted to steal the deceased’s car, were arrested and would be prosecuted.

Mr Akintola decried the incessant killings and robberies by those he described as the “criminal elements” in the Nigerian Army.

“These two soldiers, Lance Corporal John Gabriel and Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon of 241 Recce Battalion Nguru, who have confessed to their crimes, are bad examples, and the law must take its due course,” the statement noted.

Calling for a full investigation into the crime, the MURIC boss stated that the soldiers possibly had accomplices.

“We are interested in knowing how a soldier who is not on duty travelled from Nguru to Jajimaji with a rifle. Who gave him a ‘pass’ or was he on AWOL (absent without leave)?” said MURIC. “Who released a rifle to him, and for what purpose? We may be dealing with a criminal syndicate within the army barracks in Nguru or beyond.”

The statement added, “This case has offered more questions than answers, and Nigerians are waiting for responses, particularly from the Nigerian Army.”

(NAN)