The Vice Chairman of Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, Abubakar Muhammad Nur, has alleged that soldiers of the Nigerian Army assaulted him while he was carrying out his official duties in the town on Friday.
Nur alleged that the soldiers beat him despite identifying himself as the Vice Chairman of the local government.
He said the incident occurred amid heightened security tensions in Geidam following an exchange of fire 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 curfew had been officially 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 residents 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 Abdullahi Baffa, told Daily Trust 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 12pm and 3pm, although intermittent gunshots were still reported.
“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, the Acting Assistant Director, Public Relations Unit, Operation Hadin Kai Sector 2, Damaturu, Lt. A. Kandala, said he was not aware of the incident.
Kandala, however, promised to get back to our reporter after making enquiries but had not done so as of the time of filing this report.
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.
