Two Commissioners in Borno State were on Saturday attacked by some soldiers attached to the 7 division of the Nigerian Army.
The Commissioner for Health, Salisu Kawaya-Buram and his Commissioner for Jusrice counterpart, Kakashehu Lawal who are members of the Borno state COVID-19 Committee flayed down Hilux conveying the Soldiers while on COVID-19 enforcement duty at Auno when the incident happened.
The Commissioner for Health explained that they were pointed with guns by the Soldiers even after they have introduced themselves.
According to Lawal, the soldiers forced their way into Borno from a neighbouring State, pulling down the barricade and allowing travellers who were not on essential duty to enter the state.
Lawal explained the soldiers were conveyed in three Hilux gun trucks, who claimed they were on a mission to repel Boko Haram attack on Gubio.
The soldiers intentionally deliberately rammed into a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) van which was used to block the road to prevent illegal entry, while the Police van destroyed in the attack
He said the force with which they rammed into the vehicle made it somersault while all the four persons inside the van sustained injuries, with reports that one died.
“After hitting the vehicle, the soldiers pointed their guns at us and began assaulting us,” Lawal said.
“One of the soldiers looked at me and said: ‘To hell with Democracy, Useless Democracy’. Others raised their guns at us, while one of them removed the cap of a policeman attached to the team.
“A cameraman attached to the team from the deputy governor’s office was also attacked and beaten while his camera was seized by the soldiers.”
Lawal said despite the provocation, he asked the policemen in his team to remain calm.
“As Nigerians, the mission and vision of the Buhari led administration and also the Chief of Army Staff, is to save the lives and property of the people,” he said.
“So we cannot just allow a chunk of military men to cause any form of harassment when people are there on their official responsibility.”
Kawara-Buyam said the soldiers allowed travellers who were not screened to enter the state.
