Troops of 7 Division, Nigerian Army and Borno State coronavirus
(COVID-19) response team have clashed at Auno checkpoint, killing one
person and injured four others on Saturday in Maiduguri.
The COVID-19 response team, before the clash was enforcing the
interstate lock down order at Auno entry point into Maiduguri
metropolis.
According to the Chairman of response team, Umar Kadafur, the State’s
Attorney General, and Commissioner of Justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan, and
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salisu Kwaya-Bura were among the
committee members when the incident occurred.
While speaking to journalists; on incident, Lawan, who alleged that;
“The soldiers forced their way pulling down the barricade preventing
non-essential travelers into the state by our members.”
He said the troops in three Hilux gun trucks, who claimed to be on a
mission to repel Boko Haram attack on Gubio, fatally struck the convoy
of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), enforcing the lock down order.
According to him, the impact of collision (clash) led to RRS Hilux
vehicle veer off the road and somersault, killing one person with the
injures of three other security personnel.
While narrating the incident, Lawan said: “After hitting the vehicle,
the soldiers pointed their gun trucks at us and began assaulting us.
“One of the soldiers looked at me and told me “to hell with democracy,
useless democracy.
“Others raised their guns at us, while one of them removed the cap of
a policeman attached to the team.
“A cameraman attached to the team from the Deputy Governor’s office
was also attacked and beaten while his camera was seized by the
soldiers.”
He said that in spite of the confrontation and clash at entry point,
he had asked the policemen in his team to remain calm, as the
rampaging soldiers assaulted them.
Continued; “Why we stood our ground at the scene was to call on
journalists and the military authorities to come and witness what was
happening so they could bring an end to the impunity.
“As Nigerians, the mission and vision of the Buhari-led administration
and also Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; is to save
people’s lives and property.
“So we cannot just allow a chunk of military men to cause any form of
harassment when people are there on their official responsibility,”
Lawan said.
It also took the efforts of Deputy Governor of Borno state, Usman
Kadafur, and the Garrison Commander of 7 Division, Brig-Gen.
Igbinomwanhia, in bringing the tensed security situation under
control.
While speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salihu
Kwayabura, who also doubles as Secretary of Borno state COVID-19
response team; told the military commander that the soldiers pointed a
gun at him after he identified himself to the troops on patrol along
Maiduguri/Damaturu road.
He said that the injured driver of the RRS vehicle taken to hospital;
gave up the ghost Sunday morning.
He added that the soldiers on three patrol vehicles; also allegedly
forced all motorists to come and enter into Maiduguri metropolis
without undergoing any COVID-19 test.
He further alleged that the actions of troops could however; “hamper
efforts of federal and state governments in fighting COVID-19
pandemic, which has claimed over a dozen lives in Borno.
Lamenting on State’s rising cases, he said: “Borno had so far recorded
more than 400 coronavirus cases.
“Yesterday alone, more than 40 persons who travelled into the state
were COVID-19 positive.
“This prompted COVID-19 response teams’ decision to come and impose
the lockdown on Maiduguri/Damaturu road today (Saturday).”
Meanwhile, Kadafur, who doubles as Chairman of COVID-19 response team,
also condemned the clash with troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
He described the incident, as unfortunate in the fight against
COVID-19 pandemic and Boko Haram insurgency in Borno state.
He said that when the incident was reported to him, he quickly alerted
the Garrison Commander to come to the scene in order to restore calm.
“In a situation like this, you have to look at the psyche of the
individuals involved because it may be me that is attacked tomorrow,”
he said.
He therefore; urged the military to investigate last Saturday’s
incident to avoid further recurrence in the state.
While responding to the clash at Njimtilo checkpoint, Igbinomwanhia
apologized to the COVID-19 response team.
He assured that the Army would set up a commission of enquiry to
investigate the incident and vowed to bring the soldiers to book.
