[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igerian soldier on a routine patrol at Sadama, a Village close to Ofunama in Ovia South West Local government area of Edo has been murdered in an ambushed carried out by suspected hoodlums.
The soldier was a member of a patrol team said to be returning from assigned duties.
Reports reaching Alltimepost.com at the weekend said one of the soldiers who escaped with bullet wounds to a nearby Ajakurama community narrated their ordeals to the villagers. It was also gathered that the attackers buried their victim in a shallow grave.
Sources at Ajakurama said community youths accompanied a reinforced team of military searchers to the area where the attack took place and the shallow grave where the slain soldier was buried was located after several hours. The source said the corpse was exhumed.
The National Public Relations Officer of Ajakurama community, Elder Tam Nike, who spoke with newsmen, said the military personnel have lived cordially with the villagers since the outpost was established.
He further stated that the killing of the soldier was shocking and worrisome as according to him, the soldiers have been providing security for the communities.
His words: “We condemn the act and will not condone it. It was one of the soldiers who escaped with bullet wounds to the community that told us about the attack.
“The most senior officer died instantly. The attackers took away the gun of the soldier. The community joined the solders to search the area and they found the place where the soldier was buried.
“We have called on other neighboring communities to join us to fish out the hoodlums. We will assist the soldiers to get the attackers.”
On whether any operation has been carried out by the soldiers, he said no such thing has happened but that the villagers were worried about a reprisal attack in quest to apprehend the killers.
However, fear has gripped members of some of the ijaw communities over the killing.
As at the time of this report, Spokesman of the 4 Mechanized Brigade, Nigeria Army, Captain Mohammed Maidawa, could not be reached for comments.
