A soldier, Lance Corporal Moses Oguche has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing a driver to death at Okene in Kogi state.
Oguche who was arrested by the combined efforts of policemen and community members who resisted an attempt by fellow soldiers to rescue their colleague from police custody as revealed to newsmen by a police source.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mohammed DanMalam , who confirmed the incident, said he immediately ordered the transfer of the suspect to the state command headquarters in Benin when he learnt of it.
DanMallam gave the assurance that justice would be served in the murder of the driver as nobody was above the law.
“The case is under investigation; it is a case of murder. He (the soldier) is a Nigerian and he is not above the law. I assure you that justice will be done in this case,” he said.
In his reaction, 4 Brigade Army Public Relations Officer, Capt. Maidawa Mohammed, said, “This is certainly not in line with the disposition of the Nigerian Army, which places high premium on the sanctity of human lives.
“As alleged, this unfortunate circumstance will be thoroughly investigated and if established, justice shall take its course. I want to reassure the general public of the safety of their lives and property.”
An eyewitness said the deceased, Ogbimi, and a mechanic, one Kekere, had gone to recover a broken down vehicle belonging to one Big Joe Motors when the incident occurred.
It was gathered that trouble started when a towing van that was being driven by the deceased driver scratched a silver colour Nissan Premera marked, Abuja KWL 811 AP, belonging to the military man.