Sheikh Goni Aisami was driving between Kano and Gashua, in the northeastern Yobe region, when the soldiers he gave a ride killed him and stole his Honda Accord 2006 model.



The Yobe State Police Command on Saturday arrested two soldiers in connection with the murder of a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Goni Aisami, who was murdered on Friday while on his way to Gashua from Kano.

The cleric was killed by the soldiers after giving them a lift from Nguru military check-point to Jaji-maji, a nearby community under Karasuwa Local Government of Yobe State, police sources said.

He was shot dead while his car, a red Honda Accord 2006 model, was taken away by the assailants around 9:00 p.m.

Yobe police spokesman Dungus Abdulkarim identified the suspects as John Gabriel and Adamu Gideon, both lance corporals, of 241 Battalion, Nguru, Yobe.

The two arrested suspects have been taken to Criminal Investigation Department, Damaturu, as investigations continue.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Army did not immediately return a request seeking comments about the attack, which marks the latest military-on-civilian violence long associated with Nigerian soldiers.

The top Islamic scholar was buried on Saturday evening in Gashua amid tears by thousands of his students, family members as well as associates.

He was survived by his wives and children.