Abubakar Muhammad Nur, the Vice Chairman of Geidam Local Government Area in Yobe State, has accused soldiers of the Nigerian Army of assaulting him while he was performing his official duties in the town. The incident occurred on Friday amidst heightened security concerns following a confrontation between security forces and suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the outskirts of Geidam.

In an exclusive interview with Punch Newspapers, Nur recounted that he was attacked by soldiers from the 159 Battalion, Geidam, despite identifying himself as the vice chairman. He stated that he had ventured out to assess the situation in the town after noticing that many residents were fleeing due to the ongoing violence. "I decided not to run because I am innocent and I was on my official duty," he explained.

Nur detailed the assault, claiming that one soldier struck him on the forehead, causing significant bleeding, while another soldier injured his hand. He is currently receiving treatment for his injuries, which he shared with reporters through photographs showing visible wounds on his body.

The vice chairman expressed concern over the conduct of the soldiers, stating that there have been numerous reports of indiscriminate beatings of residents following the exchange of gunfire with Boko Haram. He noted that no official curfew had been declared, yet the atmosphere in Geidam has been tense, with residents remaining indoors for safety.

Idris Baffa, a local resident, corroborated Nur's claims, indicating that the community had been on lockdown for three days due to security restrictions. He mentioned that an initial 24-hour curfew was imposed on the first day after the gunfire, which was later adjusted to a 20-hour restriction, allowing limited movement between noon and 3 PM. However, he reported that residents are still hesitant to leave their homes due to ongoing fears and lack of communication from authorities regarding the situation.

When contacted for a response, Lt. A. Kandala, the Acting Assistant Director of the Public Relations Unit for Operation Hadin Kai Sector 2, stated that he was unaware of the alleged assault but promised to investigate the matter further. As of the latest updates, no official statements have been released regarding the ongoing security situation in Geidam or the allegations made by Nur.

The recent events in Geidam highlight the increasing security challenges faced by residents in Yobe State, particularly in areas frequently targeted by Boko Haram insurgents. The local government's ability to ensure the safety of its officials and citizens during such crises remains in question as tensions continue to rise.