The Nigerian Army has confirmed that one of its soldiers killed a commercial motorcyclist at Umuokereke Ngwa community near Aba, Abia State.
The army confirmed this in a statement on Saturday after initially denying responsibility, saying Chimaobi Nwogu might have been killed by a cultist who was wearing an army T-shirt.
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It identified the soldier as Lance Corporal Ajayi Johnson, one of the soldiers deployed at Forward Operations Base Ohanze.
The motorcyclist was said to have been shot dead for refusing to part with N100 bribe at a military checkpoint at Ohanze in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia.
The army said: “Further investigation on the incident revealed that Lance Corporal Ajayi Johnson one of the soldiers deployed at Forward Operations Base Ohanze for security duty absconded his duty location to an unknown destination and was reported to have been involved in a scuffle that led to the shooting and killing of the Okada rider Mr Chimaobi on Wednesday 7 August 2019.
“The soldier was casually dressed in camouflage T-shirt which led to the initial suspected identity of the culprit as a cultist.
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“The soldier has since been arrested and detained. Discplinary procedure is in progress. He will be tried according to extant military law and if found culpable will be dismissed and handed over to the Civil Police for prosecution.”
The army said it “deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased” and also prayed for fortitude on the family and Abia residents to bear the loss.
