By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Edo State Police have apprehended a soldier who allegedly stabbed a driver to death at Okene town in Kogi State.
The deceased driver, Mr Ogbimi of Big Joe Motors was allegedly attacked with a jack knife by the soldier, Lance Corporal Moses Oguche of 4 Brigade about 11am on Sunday July 21, 2019.
Our reporter exclusively scooped that late Mr Ogbimi and a mechanic, one Kekere, had gone to recover a broken down vehicle belonging to Big Joe Motors when the unfortunate incident occurred.
It was gathered that trouble started when a towing van that was being driven by the deceased driver and a silver colour Nissan Premera marked Abuja- KWL 811-AP, belonging to the military man collided, with minor damages to the two vehicles.
The soldier, who was on mufti allegedly committed the act during a spontaneous argument that ensued between them.
It was further gathered that the enraged soldier on killing the driver, anticipated mob attack, quickly jumped into his vehicle and fled the scene.
During the melee, some passersby launched a vehicular chase after the fleeing killer soldier who finally abandoned his car and ran into a bush behind a private building at Agbede town in Edo State.
He was said to had made a call to his colleagues at a military base in Auchi before he was taken into police custody along with his vehicle at Agbede Divisional Police Headquarters.
The situation almost went out of control when some armed soldiers who stormed Agbede police station in two Hilux vans ostensibly to rescue their embattled colleague were prevented by residents of the community and policemen on ground.
Sources hinted that the Commissioner of Police in Edo CP DanMallam Mohammed who was promptly notified, ordered immediate transfer of the suspect to the state police command headquarters in Benin City.
Confirming the incident, the commissioner of police, Edo State CP DanMallam Mohammed assured that justice would be served in the brutal murder as nobody is above the law.
“The case is under investigation, is a case of murder, he is a Nigerian and he is not above the law.
“I assure that justice will be done in this case”. CP DanMallam stated.
The Public Relations Officer for 4 Brigade, Nigeria Army Capt. Maidawa Ibrahim Mohammed said”how did you know that he is serving in 4 Brigade? If he went to Auchi on a course, call the Army PRO in Auchi.
“Forward his name and other details to me on this number. I will get back to you when I return,” he later stated during a telephone interview on Thursday.
Contacted, the Personal Assistant to Mr. Sunny Joseph Osayande one of the directors of Big Joe Motors, Mr Jonathan described the incident as unfortunate.
He revealed that the management of the transport company and the deceased relatives were invited by the police at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), last Tuesday, July 22, 2019.
He however promised to reach his boss for further comments, a pledge he had yet to fulfill as at press time.
