There was widespread outrage on Saturday following the arrest of a Nigerian soldier, Lance Corporal Ahmed Aminu, who allegedly beat a young phone repair technician, Alkasim Ibrahim, to death over a delayed phone repair in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the arrest of the soldier, who is currently in custody, amid growing public anger and demands for justice.
A statement released by Lieutenant Adebayo Adewumi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola, described the incident as unfortunate and assured the public that a thorough investigation was underway.
“The Nigerian Army acknowledges the reported incident with deep concern and wishes to inform the public that the said soldier has since been taken into custody.
A thorough investigation has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident,” the statement read.
The Army reiterated its commitment to discipline and professionalism, stressing that it would not condone any form of misconduct among its personnel.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the tragic incident occurred after the soldier’s girlfriend reportedly took her phone to the victim’s shop for repairs. When the repair was delayed, she allegedly called Aminu, who stormed the workshop and attacked the technician in a fit of rage.
Eyewitnesses said the soldier assaulted the unsuspecting Alkasim repeatedly until he collapsed. He later died from the injuries he sustained during the brutal beating.
“This is beyond sad,” said Nuruddeen Abubakar, an eyewitness. “Alkasim was a hardworking boy, only trying to make a living. His only offence was not fixing a phone on time. And now he’s gone.”
The incident has sparked protests and condemnation from residents and human rights groups, who have demanded the immediate prosecution of the soldier for murder.
“This is not a case for military panels or internal sanctions. The Nigerian Army must hand over Lance Corporal Aminu to the police for prosecution in a civil court. Justice must be served,” a local rights group said in a statement.
Community members who spoke with PLATFORM TIMES described the late Alkasim as humble and dedicated to his work. His sudden death has thrown his family and the Mayo-Belwa community into mourning.
“How can a trained soldier turn around to kill a defenceless civilian over a petty issue like phone repair? It’s pure madness,” said a youth leader in the area.
As the investigation continues, the Army has pledged to make the findings public and ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations and legal activists are also calling for the Federal Government and the National Human Rights Commission to monitor the case closely to ensure there are no cover-ups.
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