Army dismisses three soldiers for joining kidnap gang

Tukur Buratai

The Nigerian Army says it has dismissed three soldiers arrested among a kidnap gang in the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State.

Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Olusegun Adeniyi, announced this on Sunday as he handed over the dismissed soldiers to the police.

[ads]

Mr Adeniyi, a major general, disclosed that the soldiers were arrested with 22 other suspects by a joint patrol team early Sunday at a building in Maiduguri.

He said the soldiers were initially deployed to the Operation Lafiya Dole, but engaged in nefarious activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, killings and cultism.

Adeniyi added that the erring soldiers were dismissed in accordance with the military procedures, warning that the army would not condone criminals in its fold.

“The three soldiers were caught among the evil group, there was further resistance and attempt to escape, so we tied them up with ropes because handcuffs were not available,” he said.

[ads]

“In addition; we could not put violent men that do this kind of crimes into a police van to take to the station, there will be breakout on the road and we know what would happen.

“We have to restrain them thoroughly with ropes before we take them and hand over to the police.”

The commander called on the general public to be vigilant and report suspicious persons, movement and activities to security agencies.