UDO- A trigger-happy soldier have shot a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over alleged demand for excessive toll at Ora junction in Ovia South West local government area of Edo State.
It was gathered that six heavily armed men in military uniform had stormed the toll gate in a white Hilux van marked 033 with the inscription “Okomu Oil Plc” demanding immediate removal of barricade allegedly placed on Udo-Okomu road by the youths who claimed to be representing different revenue agents.
The youths were said to have forcefully parked 10 trailers conveying fertilizer to Okomu Oil Plc as they allegedly demanded for excessive toll from the contractor who was leading the trailers drivers.
It was further gathered that the fertilizer contractor made a phone call through to the military men at Okomu Oil Plc when his efforts to dialogue with the youths met a briskwall, last Monday.
The victim Iyendo Reuben was shot in his left lap at close range by one of the six armed soldiers following an argument that ensued.
It further learnt that the NURTW member, Iyendo Reuben allegedly insisted on the collecting the toll while his colleagues scampered for safety when the solders started firing into the air.
After shooting their victim, the soldiers allegedly dismantled the barricade on the road for the trailers to proceed on their journey without paying a dime.
The rampaging soldiers, it was said took their victim who was bleeding profusely along as they escorted the 10 trailers load of fertilizer to Okomu Oil plc where he was given first aid before they rushed him to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City.
Narrating his ordeal to our crime reporter who visited the hospital last Tuesday Mr. Iyendo Reuben stated that the soldiers were called in to ensure that the fertilizer contractor evaded payment of toll.
He admitted working for the National Union of Road Transport Workers and added that the said contractor had been paying the toll and wondered why he invited the army after he had earlier agreed to pay that fateful afternoon.
Contacted, the state Chairman of NURTW Comrade Odion Olaye declined comment.
The spokesman, 4brigade, Nigeria Army, Benin City Captain Mohammed Maidawa promised to get back to our reporter but did not do so at press time yesterday.
The acting Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command SP Stephen Onwochei confirmed the shooting of a member of NURTW.
He said statements have been obtained and the commissioner of police in the state had ordered full scale investigation into the shooting.
Meanwhile, our reporter has embarked on a fact-finding tour to the Udo community, details of his findings will be published in our subsequent edition.
