The Nigerian Army has dismissed two soldiers over the murder of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami Gashua, in Yobe State.
Lance Corporal John Gabriel who shot dead the cleric so he could steal his car after the victim offered him a lift, and his mate he summoned to help him in the crime, Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, have both been dismissed.
The acting commander officer in charge of 241 Reece battalion, Nguru, Yobe State, Lt Col. Ibrahim Osabo, who confirmed this to journalists, said a joint board of inquiry set up in collaboration with the police, found them guilty of murder.
He said the two soldiers were dismissed on a two-count charge of failure to perform duties and conduct prejudice to service discipline.
Lt Col Osabo added that the dismissed soldiers will be handed over to the police in Damaturu for prosecution in a court of law.
The cleric was travelling from Gashua to Kano when he saw Gabriel by the roadside at Jajimaji, a distance of less than 30 kilometres away from Gashua and decided to offer him a lift when he flagged him.
The soldier later lured the car owner out of the vehicle and shot him dead to steal his car.
