Contrary to widespread reports, the Nigerian Army on Wednesday denied that its men were involved in the killing of four students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi last Wednesday.
The students were allegedly killed by soldiers who were called in to help quell protest over poor water supply to their hostel last Monday.
But Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Director of Army Public Relations, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that though soldiers from the 177 Guards Battalion in Keffi were called in to assist the police in quelling the violent protests, they did not kill any student of the university.
“What these people are writing is not correct. Soldiers were not deployed and couldn’t have carried out the shooting. Our men were on patrol duty at Keffi,” said the Army PRO.
“The students, who were protesting, had blocked the road but soldiers did not have any altercation with them. There were the police and other security agencies, who were on the ground to handle the situation. There is also this information we have that the police even recovered some arms from the students who were protesting,” Brigadier Attahiru added.
The Police had earlier denied shooting the students.
Frank Mba, spokesperson for the Police said policemen only help to clear the portion of Abuja-Lokoja highway which was blocked by students during the protest.
“The policemen that went to the scene only cleared the expressway that was blocked by the students. Two students were killed and seven others were hospitalised for injuries sustained during the violent protest,” said Mba.
He added that: “Any question on the killing should be directed to the Army. They have their Public Relations unit; the police were not involved in the shooting.”
when will this stop, the killing of our beloved ones by the security men that are suppose to protect life and property if this should continue like this, then who shall we trust?
ReplyDelete