President Muhammadu Buhari has “strongly condemned the unprovoked and cold-blooded murder of an Islamic cleric based in Yobe State, Sheikh Goni Aisami, by an uncaring soldier whom he had offered a ride, as confirmed by police.”
According to a statement by Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant (Media and Public Relations), on Tuesday, President Buhari said in response to the incident, “This barbaric murder of a compassionate man by a soldier, the helping has no place in our training as soldiers and negates the entire ethos of military life, which is grounded in discipline and respect for the sanctity of innocent lives.”
The President said: “As Commander-in-Chief, I am personally outraged by this criminal and malicious act by a law enforcement officer trained to protect life.
“Through our training, we are guided by a code of conduct that disapproves of this type of reckless and criminal activity.
It is not in our character and training to put innocent citizens at risk. Of course, this soldier’s action is an isolated case involving an individual, but it can tarnish the collective image of our military.”
“This incident may scare our fellow citizens to help soldiers, destroying the bond of trust between our military and civilians.
“I call on the military authorities to immediately punish the perpetrators of this heinous crime and to root out other elements with such criminal tendencies,” President Buhari added.
He offered his condolences to the government of Yobe State, the people of the state and the family of the victim of this tragedy.
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