Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Thursday announced the arrest of soldier, who allegedly shot and killed a commercial motorcyclist at a military check point in a community near Aba.
The deceased, Mr. Chimaobi Uzoukwa, was reportedly killed for refusing to part with N100 bribe at Ohanze military checkpoint.
It was alleged that one of the soldiers at the checkpoint commandeered another motorcyclist and went after him and reportedly shot him at a close range, killing him on the spot, after which he fled.
Ikpeazu, gave the name of the suspect as “Cpl. Ajayi”, saying he was arrested on Wednesday and was currently being detained.
A release issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the governor disclosed the arrest of the suspect during a condolence visit to the bereaved family at Umuokereke Ngwa community in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.
He assured the family that government will do everything within its power to ensure that the deceased got justice.
Meanwhile, the late Uzoukwa left behind a pregnant wife, two sons and an aged mother.
The governor described the killing of the 30-year-old okada rider as “wicked, malicious, unprofessional and cowardly.”
He said: “To reason that a soldier could pursue an unarmed young man from Ohanze Village to Umuokereke Ngwa, a distance of about 25 kilometers, and shoot him at close range from behind, defied logic.
“This is one murder too many. We will do everything possible under the law to get this murderous suspect and bring him to justice.
“Whatever it takes, we will do. We will go to Abuja or any other place to ensure that the suspect did not go scot-free.
“The death of this young man is extremely painful and cannot go in vain.
“This is my position and this is the position of the government and people of Abia,” the governor said.
He promised to make sure that the young family of the deceased did not suffer while urging the family and community to bear the incident with fortitude and refrain from violent protests.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ene Okon, Police Area Commander in Aba, ACP Peter Opara and other senior police officers.
