Soldiers threaten to kill Borno deputy governor, holds him hostage

The soldiers refused to recognize the governor and even took formations with the threat to open fire on him as he tried to convince them to let him pass.

The incident occurred at Buni Gari town in Gujiba local government area of Yobe just as Durkwa was returning from Adamawa state.

The Borno deputy governor had been to that state to attend the turbaning ceremony of his Adamawa counterpart Martins Babale that took place in Ganye local government area.

News report gathered that Durkwa’s convoy reportedly ran into the military checkpoint but on seeing no soldier in sight tried to go through when the soldiers appeared and threatened to kill the deputy governor.

According to reports, a policeman attached to the deputy governor’s office had tried to remove the barricade on the road when the soldiers jumped out of their hideouts and manhandled him.

One of the soldiers reportedly hit the policeman on the head with his gun.

Eventually, Durkwa came down from his vehicle to speak with the soldiers who refused to accord him the respect due his position.

A source said: “The soldiers took positions from different directions, aiming at the convoy, with the threat to open fire. “The soldiers pointed Ak47 riffle, anti-aircraft guns and one of them pointed a rocket propeller.

“The deputy governor, having seen what was going on, after they had denied him access for about 15 minutes, came down from his vehicle to interfere, but instead of showing him respect, the soldiers became more lawlessness.

“They said they don’t care about his office. They insulted and called him all sort of names. One of the soldiers, who pointed a gun at him, called him a bloody civilian and political thief. They said they won’t lose anything killing the deputy.”

News sources said the situation was brought under control after the intervention of a senior military official.