Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has strongly denounced the killing of a truck driver, Malam Muhammad Bello, who was transporting humanitarian goods to a neighboring country.
Leadership reports that the incident occurred on Tuesday along the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala Road in Dikwa Local Government Area, where the soldier allegedly beat Bello to death.
This act was reportedly due to the driver’s refusal to offer a bribe to the soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) at a checkpoint, despite presenting valid clearance papers.
At a press conference in Maiduguri on Thursday, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Bukar Tijani, Governor Zulum expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
He firmly emphasized that the government “cannot tolerate” such incidents and prayed for their prevention in the future.
Governor Zulum urged NURTW members and the public to exhibit patience and consider the incident as an unacceptable aberration.
He stated, “The Borno State Government received the sad news of the killing of a truck driver on Tuesday, 26th December 2023, along Gamboru-Ngala Road, with utter shock, anguish, and dismay. The victim, Mal. Muhammad Bello, was a resident of Bulabulin Monday Market area in MMC and was approximately 35 years old.
“The Government condemns in strong terms this act of violence allegedly committed by military personnel. The Government also commiserates with the family of the deceased. May Allah repose the soul of the deceased and grant his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
On the other hand, the Nigerian Army’s 7 Division confirmed the apprehension of the soldier implicated in the driver’s death.
According to a statement released by the Army’s Public Relations Officer Lt. Col. A.Y. Jingina, the Army acknowledged receiving a complaint from the NURTW and has initiated an investigation into the matter.
“Furthermore, engagement has been established with NURTW towards a peaceful resolution of the incident. The Division has assured both the family of the deceased and the NURTW of its commitment to ensure that justice is served to the family and no stone would be left unturned in this regard.
“In the Division’s effort towards ensuring that the family of the victim gets justice, the soldier in question has been arrested, and an investigation has commenced. It is also worthy to mention that the Division does not tolerate any form of unprofessional conduct from any personnel as we operate within the ambit of the law.
“The Division wishes to once again reassure the members of the general public that we will remain resolute and professional in the joint effort to tackle insecurity in Borno State,” Jingina said.
