Soldiers invade community over colleague’s death

Police join military to fish out killers

There is panic in Ogotun-Ekiti, a community in Ekiti Southwest Local Government of Ekiti State, following the killing of a soldier.

The killing of the soldier by gunmen suspected to be robbers on Wednesday caused invasion of the community by soldiers.

Residents claimed that the soldiers, who stormed Ogotun from the Army base in Akure, the Ondo State capital, now patrol their community in 12 Toyota Hilux vans.

While many residents have left the town, others who are afraid of going out, stay indoors.

A community leader, Mr. Paul Awopetu, who confirmed the development to The Nation yesterday, said a resident was killed by suspected robbers at Olori Oko farmstead in Ogotun.

He said one person, who escaped from the robbery scene, reported the incident to soldiers manning a checkpoint between Ogotun and neighbouring Igbara Odo.

Awopetu added: “Two soldiers followed the person who escaped from the farmstead, but the robbers killed one of the soldiers.

“As I am talking to you, soldiers are patrolling Ogotun in 12 Hilux vehicles.

“The soldiers are combing the bush, forest and surrounding farmsteads in search of the robbers, who killed their colleague.”

Police spokesman Caleb Ikechukwu, who confirmed the incident, described those who killed the soldier as “unknown gunmen.”

Ikechukwu said the police have joined the military in search of those who killed the soldier.

He said: “I have been duly informed about the soldier killed by unidentified gunmen.

“Intensive search is going on, but I cannot ascertain the number of soldiers. If you kill a soldier, you should expect the military to go into action.

“We have deployed our men to join in the search for the culprits.”