The vice-chairman of Geidam Local Government Area in Yobe State, Abubakar Muhammad Nur, has alleged that Nigerian Army personnel assaulted him while he was assessing the security situation in the town on Friday morning.
Mr Nur said the soldiers attacked him despite identifying himself as the vice-chairman of the local government.
He alleged that soldiers had been assaulting residents following an exchange of fire with suspected Boko Haram militants on the outskirts of Geidam.
“They have been assaulting people since they exchanged fire with Boko Haram terrorists,” Mr Nur said in a message to reporters.
He also said no curfew had been officially declared in the state, accusing soldiers of beating residents indiscriminately.
“As my chairman is absent for other official engagements, by the constitution I am supposed to be the chief security officer in town,” he said.
Mr Nur said he went out on Friday morning after seeing residents fleeing the area, adding that he wanted to assess the situation.
“I decided not to run because I am innocent and I was on my official duty,” he said.
According to Mr Nur, soldiers from the 159 Battalion in Geidam approached him and began beating him even after he identified himself as a local government official.
He alleged that one of the soldiers struck him on the forehead, causing heavy bleeding, while another hit his hand, leaving him with what he described as a serious injury.
Mr Nur said he was receiving treatment in an emergency room when he sent the message to reporters.
He also provided photographs showing injuries to his head and other parts of his body.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
The Nigerian Army had not immediately responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Geidam has experienced heightened security concerns in recent days following an exchange of fire between security forces and suspected Boko Haram militants on the outskirts of the town.
Details of the confrontation remain unclear, but residents have reportedly been advised to remain indoors as security operations continue.
The alleged assault comes amid growing concerns among residents about movement restrictions and the conduct of security personnel during the ongoing operation.
