Soldiers allegedly beat father of three to death in Akwa Ibom

Ikot-Abasi Local Council of Akwa Ibom State has been thrown into a state of mourning after angry soldiers on duty at Utaewa water birch allegedly killed a 45-year-old cement merchant named Otobong Jumbo.

The wife of the deceased who interacted with few journalists on Sunday, said:

“I went to the birch on Tuesday night to ease herself, a soldier on duty there came and pointed a torch light on my face and when I queried why he was pointing his light on my face, he drew closer to where I was and pushed me into the river, but I manage to swim out of the river.

“While I was talking with the soldier, the leader of the team sent for my husband who arrived the scene almost immediately. I don’t know what my husband said that got them angry but what I know is that they have personnal issues with my husband.

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“All of us in this community, have severally complained about the excesses of the soldiers who extort money from us, intimidate and harass us, so my husband has been having this issues with the soldiers in the course of moving his goods across the river to Opobo.

“When my husband came they swooped on him and hit him with gun butts until he became unconscious. They pushed him into the river and threaten to shoot anyone that comes to his rescue. He was taken first to Foundation Clinic, and then Waterside Clinic and later to Navy Clinic, where he later died.”

The woman, however, called on the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, and the Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, to ensure that justice prevail on the matter.

However, Army spokesman 2nd Brigade, Nigeria Army, Ibawa, Abak Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Major Bashir Jajira, who confirmed the incident, explained that the deceased was drunk.

“I can confirm that something like that happened on that day. A woman came to the birch at an abnormal time to defecate. There is a time we allow for normal activities at the birch.

“The husband went to the birch very drunk and could not control himself, so as the soldiers securing the place were shouting who was that! He ran and fell into the river, and before he was rescued he was already found to be dead” he said.

The youth leader of the community, Segun Omoboye, who also confirmed the incident, said the youths were planning a peaceful protest to expose the oppression of the soldiers at the Water birch.

By Todimu Ogunade…

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