"Soldier Actually Killed Keke Rider In Aba" - Nig. Army Admits, pleads for mercy

The Nigerian army has finally admitted that a soldier, 'Corporal Ajayi Johnson' actually killed a Keke Rider, identified as Mr Chimaobi Nwaogu in Aba, on Wednesday. 

Igbere TV recalls that the Nigerian army had earlier denied that its men killed the Keke operator which sparked heavy protest in Aba. The army initially said the killing was perpetrated by unknown gunmen in military camouflage.

But in a statement made available to Igbere TV by Aliyu Yusuf on Saturday, 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.

According to the army's deputy director public relation, "the soldier was casually dressed in camouflage T – shirt which led to the initial suspected identity of the culprit as a cultist." 

He, however, revealed that the soldier has since been arrested and detained. 

Yusuf also noted that discplinary procedure is in progress. And the soldier 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 statement reads, 

"Reference to our earlier press release on the incident that led to the shooting of an innocent citizen Mr Chimaobi Nwaogu of Umuokereke-Ngwa, in Obingwa LGA Abia State. Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that :" 

"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."

"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 Nigerian Army deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased, We also pray that the almighty God will strengthen his family, loved ones and the entire Abians for this irreparable loss."

" You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public through your medium.

Thank you for your usual cooperation."

Igbere TV recalls that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State visited the deceased family and vowed that the culprit will face the full wrath of the law.