Nigerian Army Reacts As Soldier Kills Water Melon Seller In Zamfara

The Nigerian Army has disclosed that an investigation has been opened into the alleged killing of a watermelon seller in Zamfara State by one of its personnel.

It was gathered that trouble started after the soldier refused to pay for the goods he bought from the fruit seller which were worth N300.

The fruit seller, identified as Abdulkadir Musa, was shot dead after demanding the soldier make payment for the fruit he bought.

Narrating the incident which happened on Sunday, the father of the deceased, Alhaji Mustafa Musa said two soldiers visited his son’s stand on Sunday and bought a bunch of bananas but wanted to take another one for free which was rejected by his now-dead son.

He narrated that it was during the squabble that ensued that one of the soldiers shot his son.

“They bought a bunch of bananas for N300 and instead of them to take the one they paid for, they also took another one and wanted to go with it, but my son did not allow them to do so.

“When they insisted that they must go with the bunches of bananas, the fruit vendor rushed to the police station, which was very close to the scene of the incident, and reported the case and the two soldiers were arrested, but they were released shortly after.”

Mustafa added that immediately the soldiers were released, one of them went home, fetched a gun and returned to the scene and shot the fruit vendor.

“My son was shot in the back and we took him to the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, but unfortunately, he lost his life,” Mustafa narrated.

Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Army in a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima said the killing of the fruit seller was regrettable and condemned.

Though he didn’t reveal the identity of the soldier involved in the saga, Yerima noted that the matter is already under investigation and justice will be served.

He also commiserated with the family of the dead fruit seller.

According to him, “The army wishes to state that the sad incident is quite regrettable and it condoles with the family of the deceased.

“It is worthy of note that the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Maj Gen Usman Yusuf, has since commissioned an investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the altercations which eventually claimed one life as efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrator.

“The army wishes to state clearly that, the alleged perpetrator, once identified will be subjected to a thorough investigation and if found wanting, will be made to face the full wrath of the law in accordance with extant provisions.”

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen have abducted a pastor during an attack on a Deeper Life Church in Irese, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo state.

The pastor who name is Pastor Otamayomi Ogedengbe was abducted by the gunmen who invaded the church around 9pm.