The 241 Recce Battalion of the Nigerian Army on Saturday dismissed John Gabriel and Lance Cpl Adamu Gideon, for killing an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Goni Aisami, in Yobe.

“They no longer represent Nigerian Army,” Lt. Col. Ibrahim Osabo, the acting commanding officer of the battalion, Nguru, Yobe, told journalists shortly after the suspects were de-kited in Nguru.

The suspects were reduced from Lance Corporal to private soldiers before they were dismissed.

“You are all aware of what happened a week ago where the two service personnel of this unit went out and committed the atrocity, and the Nigeria Police personnel arrested them,” Mr Osabo said. “Thanks to Almighty Allah, we are able to do the needful. We initiated a military police investigation together with the Nigeria Police.”

He added, “The outcome of the investigation gave us the latitude to sanction the suspects accordingly, and they are now officially dismissed regiment from the Nigerian Army.”

Mr Osabo also mentioned that the dismissed men would be taken to the sector headquarters, after which the sector commander would officially hand them over to the police for prosecution.

The commanding officer condemned their actions and said it was not a true reflection of the Nigerian Army personnel.

“I want to assure you that we are law-abiding citizens, and we are ready to dispense justice on anybody who is found wanting, irrespective of position or rank,” he added.

The cleric was shot dead by two soldiers on August 19 in Jaji-Maji, Karasuwa Local Government Area of the state.

(NAN)