Warri – There was palpable tension on Thursday morning at the Ugbuwangue area of Warri when soldier reportedly killed a man for violating the COVID-19 sit-at-home order in Delta State.
The middle aged victim whose name was given as Joseph Pessu, was said to be attempting to escape from being arrested by soldiers enforcing the lockdown directive issued by the Delta state government.
The late Joseph Pessu, was said to be driving towards the Warri NPA from Ubeji when soldiers enforcing the lockdown directive flagged him down for check and identification but refused to stop.
NIGERIAN OBSERVER learnt that the military men chased the victim to the Ogunu flyover area where he jumped from the unnumbered Toyota Camry after using his vehicle to block the road to prevent military men from arresting the victim who ran into a bush in the area was, however, shot by one of the soldiers who were chasing him.
“The manner the he (Joseph Pessu) drove gave the suspicion that he was an armed robber because he was stopped at Ubeji where he ran into military check point”, a security source Nigerian Observer
Our source further stated that the soldier who fired the bullet attempted to force the fleeing victim to surrender but was reportedly hit by stray bullet on the back.
The killer soldier immediately reported himself to police where he is being detained at the Warri Area Command of the Delta State Police Command.
Following the killing, some youths from Ugbuwangue mobilized to the scene for reprisal but the situation was immediately nipped on the bud following the deployment more security personnel led by the Warri Police Area Commander
A senior military source in the state confirmed the incident but said the incident was already being investigated by the military command.
Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident but said she was yet to be briefed on the matter.
