The Nigerian Army on Sunday said it was still making efforts to unravel the identity of the soldiers who murdered an Islamic scholar in Yobe, more than 24 hours after the police identified the suspects as Nigerian soldiers and took them into custody. 

Cpt Kennedy Anyawu, a spokesman for the Headquarters Sector 2 Operation Hadin Kai, said in a statement on Sunday in Damaturu that the military was trying to cooperate with the police; while apparently ignoring a circulated police statement that named the suspects in the murder of Sheikh Goni Aisami on Friday.

“The Sector, in collaboration with Yobe State Police Command is carrying out an investigation to unravel the identity of the suspected soldiers.

“Additionally, the Sector has instituted a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstance surrounding the unfortunate incident.

“At the end of the investigation, the soldiers will be made to face the full wrath of both military and civil laws.”, Mr Anyawu said.

He described the incident as highly regrettable given the sector’s zero tolerance for violation of the code of conduct and rules of engagement for troops.

“Consequently, the sector wishes to commiserate with the family of the victim and the good people of Yobe and promise that justice would be served accordingly”, he added.