Soldiers beat me, others after encounter with terrorists, Yobe LG vice chairman‎ claims

The Vice Chairman of Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, Abubakar Muhammad Nur, has alleged that soldiers attached to the Nigerian Army assaulted and injured him while he was carrying out his official duties in the town on Friday.

Nur told The PUNCH Online in an exclusive interview on Friday that the soldiers beat him despite identifying himself as the vice chairman of the council.

The incident occurred amid heightened security tension in Geidam following an exchange of gunfire between security forces and suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the outskirts of the town.

“They have been assaulting people since they exchanged fire with Boko Haram terrorists,” Nur said in a message to reporters.

He alleged that soldiers had been beating residents indiscriminately, adding that no official curfew had been announced in the state.

“As my chairman is absent for other official engagements, by the constitution, I am supposed to be the chief security officer in town,” he said.

Nur said he went out on Friday morning to assess the situation after noticing that residents were fleeing the town.

“I decided not to run because I am innocent and I was on my official duty,” he said.

According to him, soldiers from the 159 Battalion, Geidam, approached him and started beating him even after he identified himself as the vice chairman.

He alleged that one of the soldiers struck him on the forehead, causing heavy bleeding, while another hit his hand, leaving him with what he described as a serious injury.

Nur said he was receiving treatment at an emergency room when he sent the message to reporters.

He also shared photographs showing injuries to his forehead and other parts of his body.

Meanwhile, a resident of Geidam, Idris Baffa, told our correspondent that residents had remained indoors for three days following restrictions imposed after the security incident.

According to him, a 24-hour curfew was imposed on the first day following intense gunshots and the use of tear gas in the area, with residents instructed to remain indoors for their safety.

He said the restriction was reduced to 20 hours on the second day, allowing residents to move around between 12 pm and 3 pm, although intermittent gunshots were still reported.

“Day 3: We are still indoors and have not received any official notice or communication from the relevant authorities regarding the lifting or further relaxation of the curfew,” Baffa said.

He added that residents had continued to remain indoors for their safety pending further instructions from the authorities.

When contacted by phone, the Acting Assistant Director, Public Relations Unit, Operation Hadin Kai Sector 2, Damaturu, Lt. A. Kandala, said he was not aware of the alleged assault.

Kandala, however, promised to make inquiries and get back to the reporter but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

“I am not aware of the incident, but I will investigate and get back to you,” he said.

Geidam has witnessed heightened security concerns over the past three days following an exchange of fire between security forces and suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the outskirts of the town.

The alleged assault occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing security operation, with residents expressing concerns over movement restrictions and the conduct of security personnel in the town.