Protests erupted in all parts of Aba town in Abia state, yesterday, as unidentified soldiers killed two Igbo butchers at the Ogbor Hill Waterside abattoir along Ikot Ekpene road.
Loading ...247ureports.com gathered that last week an unnamed soldier on mufti went to a ‘bunk’ inside the abattoir to smoke Indian hemp after which he refused to pay, claiming he was a soldier. The boys at the ‘bunk’ who did not know that he was a soldier insisted that he must pay for what he consumed, but the Unknown Soldier resisted, leading to a fight.
Trouble started yesterday when the unknown soldier returned on a revenge mission to the abattoir with four of his colleagues, in a Hilux patrol van and started shooting indiscriminately ,beat up a group of boys and were about taking them away when others reminded the soldiers that their bullet have killed a butcher.
The soldiers continued shooting leading to the death of another butcher who was hit by stray bullet. The situation caused pandemonium in the area as people scampered to safety and when the shooting died down, three persons lay dead while five others who were taking their bath in the River as at the time of the incident also sustained bullet wounds.
Not satisfied with the killings of the three butchers, the soldiers used pen knives to beat four others who were then bleeding profusely and forced them into their van and drove off to an unknown destination.
The soldiers’ action infuriated the butchers and joined by other people, they embarked on massive protest which spread to all parts of the city as Hausa traders were attacked. The protesters also made bonfire at all parts of the city as motorists fled the roads. A cross section of butchers at the abattoir told 247ureports.com that they identified three of the soldiers as belonging to the Hausa/Fulani stock, stressing that even their colleague who they suspected to be Igbo appealed to them to stop beating the boys, they rebuffed him.The butchers were overheard saying that they have had too much molestation from soldiers of Hausa/Fulani stock.
As the situation worsened, over 30 soldiers led by the Commanding Officer, Forward Operation Base, Ngwa High School, Aba, Lt. Victor Makinwa were seen at the waterside abattoir battling to contain the protests while the Aba Police Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara was on hand leading the police team. The protesters who were stopped at the waterside bridge were later seen marching to the Mosque along Hospital road where they stopped by soldiers who kept firing sporadic shots.
A heavily guarded Police patrol van was later seen on top speed at the waterside bridge conveying some Hausa/Fulanis in the area to the Aba Police Area command.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, DSP Ezekiel Udeviotu, said he was on his way to Aba with the State Commissioner of Police, Habila Joshak.
