PANIC IN EDO COMMUNITY AFTER THE KILLING OF SOLDIER

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There is reported tension in some ijaw communities in the Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State over the killing of a soldier.

It was learnt that many of the residents now live in fear of a reprisal, following the death of the military officer.

It was gathered that the yet-to-be-identified soldier was returning from a routine patrol with his colleague in Sadama village when they were attacked by unknown gunmen.

It was also learnt that while his colleague escaped with a bullet wound to Ajakurama community, the deceased was allegedly buried by the attackers.

The surviving soldier was said to have been evacuated to a hospital.

It was further gathered that some Ajakurama youths joined a search team that moved to the scene of the attack where the body of the deceased was later exhumed.

When contacted on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the 4 Brigade Headquarters in Benin, Captain Mohammed Miadawa, promised to get to our correspondent.

But Miadawa had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

However, the spokesman for Ajakurama community, Elder Tam Nike, described the killing of the soldier as shocking and worrisome.

Nike explained that the military personnel in the area had lived in peace with the villagers since an outpost was established in the village.‎

He stated, “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 soldiers 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.”