A soldier ostensibly fighting the Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Geidam, Yobe State, has committed suicide.
Lance Corporal Abdullahi Jibrin was arrested in Gashua following intelligence that he was colluding with Boko Haram and ISWAP terror groups in Geidam.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Sector 2 Operation Hadin Kai in Damaturu, Lieut. Kennedy Anyanwu, confirmed the incident.
He said: “Lance Corporal Abdullahi Jibrin was allegedly fingered during the last attack in Geidam and was later arrested by his Commanding Officer for failing out of duty. He later struggled and forcefully used an AK47 rifle to kill himself.
“A committee has been set up by the Army to investigate the root cause of his death before making it public.”
However, unconfirmed reports allege that Jibrin was involved in recent attacks in Geidam and Gashua communities in Yobe State.
“He was apprehended while attempting to escape after he learnt that his movements and activities with terrorists have been discovered by the intelligence service.
“After being handcuffed, he skillfully snatched a gun from one of the escorts and killed himself,” a source was quoted as saying.
Geidam is about 177km from Damaturu, the State capital.