By Idris Ibrahim
The Nigerian Army has denied allegations by an online newspaper, that soldiers deployed for the ongoing “AYAM APKATUMA” operation in Taraba state beat to death a 27-year-old man.
A statement issued by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Texas Chukwu in Abuja on Wednesday in Abuja described the allegation as “misleading and untrue”.
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to newspaper reports particularly an online medium, sunnewsonline.com of 2 April 2018 where it was alleged that soldiers deployed on Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA beat 27 years old man, Yusuf Haruna to death at Mbanga in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State. This allegation is misleading and untrue,” the statement read.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to put the record straight to avoid misinforming the general public. He was apprehended by troops deployed on Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA and while making efforts to hand him over to the police for questioning, he however escaped from custody. The soldiers were later informed that he died at the Family Health Care Hospital Mbanga,” it explained.
The statement also noted that the deceased was said to be an epileptic patient.
“The deceased was not beaten nor tortured as reported by some section of the media. The deceased was said to be an epileptic patient according to a source from the Family Health Care Hospital Management,” alleging that the deceased was involved in several criminal activities before he was apprehended by troops of “Ayem Akpatuma”.
“Contrary to this allegation, the deceased was a notorious youth who lived in Mbara quarters of Mbanga Community. He was known to be engaging in all forms of criminal activities,” it alleged.
The online newspaper had reported on April 2 that one Yusufa Haruna was allegedly beaten and tortured to death by soldiers at Mbange, Sardauna local government area of Taraba state.
The report, according to the paper resulted from a press briefing on Monday by father of the deceased, Haruna Kurkal who told journalists in Jalingo that trouble started when his late son had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend, which resulted in a fight between them.
Mr. Kurkal said the parents of the girl reported the incident to the village head of the area, Saleh Abubakar, who directed the Sarkin Hausawa, Ibrahim Bangari to report the issue to soldiers who in turn stormed his house looking for him and his son while both were in the farm.
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