One of the soldiers manning a checkpoint at Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State has shot dead a 22-year-old tricycle operator, Chinemerem Okanumee for not paying the regular N100 collected from commercial vehicles and tricycles.
Okanumee, an indigene of Isioji Nkpọrọgwụ in Aguata Local Government Area was shot dead on Sunday opposite the Agulu Town Hall around 2pm.
One of the Eyewitnesses, Chibuzor told Standardobservers that one of the soldiers had demanded the regular money from Okanumee who was not on duty but was going to visit his family home. However, he told the soldier that he had no money.
He said “The soldier signalled the other of his colleague to allow Okanumee to pass through the checkpoint but the signalled soldier shot Okanumee dead immediately he got to him.
“He claimed that he didn’t know that the signal was to allow Okanumee to pass.
“They (soldiers) harass commercial transport operators at that checkpoint daily and it’s not funny anymore”
Ikenga Tochukwu, the public relations officer of the Anambra Police Command declined to comment on the matter when contacted.
But the Agulu Town Union condemned the killing.
In a statement titled the “Unfortunate Incident In Front Of Agulu People’s Union Town Hall” by Chief Oliver Afamefuna (Owelle), President General, Agulu People’s Union Nigeria read in part “On behalf of Agulu People’s Union and the entire Agulu community, we sympathize on the unfortunate incident which occurred on Sunday, the 27th Feb, 2022 at the army checkpoint in front of Agulu Town Hall which led to the death of one victim.
“We hereby express our deep sympathy to the family of the victim.
“We therefore wish to appeal to all citizens of Agulu, the members of the family of the victim and the general public to remain calm and exercise restraint for the interest of peace in our dear town.
“We wish to state that the circumstances that led to the death of the victim is highly regrettable and unfortunate and we pray for the repose of the soul of the victim while we pray God to also give the bereaved family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“The Union wishes to assure all citizens that we shall continue to do the needful in ensuring that there is a conducive environment for people to go about their normal business peacefully.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved family and we look forward to the co-operation and understanding the circumstance demands”.
