We Didn't Brutalize any Student in Bauchi, Says Army

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Headquarters 33 Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army, Bauchi, has debunked an online publication alleging that its soldiers brutalized students of College of Education, Kangare in the state who blocked the Bauchi -Gombe during a protest.

In a statement signed by Major Joseph Adekunle Afolasade, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Army described the report posted on Linda Ikeji’s Blog as a “complete distortion of facts and what transpired at the school all aimed at evading justice by those involved”.

According to the statement, “The attention of Headquarters 33 Brigade Nigerian Army, Bauchi, has been drawn to an online publication on Linda Ikeji’s Blog posted earlier today, 25th May 2017 alleging that soldiers brutalized students of College of Education Kangere, Bauchi State. This is not true as no soldier brutalized any student of the institution as alleged.

“Headquarters 33 Brigade wishes to state clearly that, our officers and soldiers are professionals that conduct themselves responsibly in the discharge of their duties. Therefore, it is pertinent to set the records straight to avoid creating erroneous impression in the minds of good people of our country. This morning, the attention of the soldiers located about 300 metres away from College of Education Kangere, was drawn to a public disturbance and protest which turned violent by some students of the College which led to blockade of the busy Bauchi-Gombe Federal Highway”.

The statement further added that “The rampaging students and hoodlums that joined them in their hundreds from the school and the neighbouring community continued with their violent protest and blocking of the road unabated. The protest and the students actions was as a result of the postponement of the Election of new set of Executive Committee of the Students Union Government at the College of Education, Kangere.