Officers of the Nigerian Army on Thursday shot and killed one Pastor Harold Akunne, and a neighbor in Awka-Etiti, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Akunne, a pastor of a new generation church was driving home after depositing the remains of his neighbour who died in the mortuary when he was shot dead by the soldiers.
Also shot dead was the daughter of the neighbour the pastor helped to evacuate her remains to the mortuary.
Community sources told StandardObservers that the pastor was driving in a Sienna van -a vehicle popularly used by unknown gunmen to attack security agencies- when they were shot dead.
According to the sources, the soldiers thinking they were unknown gunmen, shot at them from behind leading to their instant death.
The sources said that upon realizing that they attacked the wrong persons, the soldiers sped off.
A video making the rounds on social media showed the bullet-ridden vehicle and lifeless body of the pastor in the front seat.
The Army on Tuesday launched an operation in the state ahead of the November 6 gubernatorial election.
The operation follows consistent attacks on security operatives, government officials and private individuals by hoodlums.
