- Nigerian Military Says It Acted In Self-defence.
The Nigerian military has confirmed the eruption of violent clash between troops and youths in Gurin, Fufore local government area of Adamawa state.
Brigadier General G. S Mohammed, Brigade Commander of 23 brigade Yola, confirmed the clash to SaharaReporters but could not state the number of casualties.
Reports, however, indicate that two people were shot dead by the soldiers, while six others sustained fatal gunfire wounds.
Adamu Jauro Komboje, a resident of Gurin told SaharaReporters that many youths took to the streets to protest against military harassment and selective enforcement of the ban on the use of motorcycles.
He said, "Actually, the frustration has been building, but yesterday the soldiers tried to seize a particular young man's motorcycle but he resisted. This is because they (soldiers) will impound your motorbike, only for you to later see them riding it or being used by their errand boys.
"If you say there's a ban on the use of motorcycles, then our understanding is that no one, not even the soldiers should be riding it. This morning the soldiers stormed the motor park area, beat up people randomly, one Sani Sakatare was beaten to stupor; I believe this was what triggered the protest.
"It was not too long when we heard that two people were shot dead in the ensuing violence, but as of now, there's security reenforcement in Gurin and everywhere is calm for now."
But the commander blamed the youths for flouting the ban and also resisting its enforcement.
"The ban on the use of motorcycles in the state is in force and we have been making concerted efforts to enforce it. But in some of the communities, youths always resist arrest for flouting the ban. In fact, recently in Ganye, there was violent action by the youths there who defaulted and were resisting arrest by mobilising against the troops and even the police.
"This incident that just happened, they threw stones and even broke a military vehicle; the youths were very violent. We have the rules of engagement whereby a crowd turns violent and attempts to overrun or take over the arms of the security agents, we would respond in self-defence, and that is what happened this morning.
"As regards the numbers that you're mentioning, I'm waiting for detailed report, once we get it, we'll confirm to you what the casualty figures are," he said.
Meanwhile, the state Ministry of Information has reacted by calling on the youths in Gurin to comply with the ban, saying the government is reviewing the security situation for a possible lift of the ban.
Polycarp Ayuba, Permanent Secretary of the ministry said Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was concerned about the hardship caused by the ban.