The Nigerian Army has explained that one of its soldiers was responsible for the killing of Mr Chimaobi Nwaogu of Umuokereke-Ngwa, in Obingwa LGA Abia State.
In an update on the incident, the Nigerian Army through Colonel Aliyu Yusuf, deputy director, Public Relations, said the soldier, Lance Corporal Ajayi Johnson has been detained.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the army said, the Nigerian Army wanted to make further clarification. “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. Disciplinary 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 prays 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,” he said.