Panic As Soldier Kills Fulani Boy In Ondo
A 13-year-old schoolboy, Usman Adamu, has allegedly been killed by a solder attached to the 32 Artilery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Ajowa Akoko, in the Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
In the incident that occurred on Wednesday, it was gathered that one other person, Kayejo Adbullahi, was also shot by the yet-to-be identified soldier, who was among the military men deployed in the community which is at the boundary of Ondo and Kogi states.
A source in the town said some members of the Fulani community in the area had a disagreement with one another, which led to the invitation of the soldiers to maintain law and order.
He said, “The Fulani people were using their sticks and cutlasses for acrobatic display which later became rowdy. This attracted soldiers to the scene to maintain law and order. It was at the scene that one of the soldiers fired a gun that killed Adamu.
“One other Fulani, Kadejo Abudulahi, had a gunshot injury; but he is receiving medical attention at the Ondo State Specialists Hospital, Ikare Akoko.”
It was said the incident caused panic in the town as members of the community expressed fear of a possible reprisal from Fulani men.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Major Ojo Adelegan, confirmed the incident, but explained that the soldier shot Adamu in self defence when members of the Fulani community attacked the soldiers that were sent to the community to maintain peace.
He said, “They used weapons against our men; so, in defence, our men acted. However, we are still investigating the matter.”
The state police command said it had arrested one Adamu Kai in connection with the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Femi Joseph, alleged that Kai was the one that invited one of the soldiers to the scene to settle a fight among members of the Fulani community in the town.
“We have yet to ascertain whether it was a soldier that killed the boy. But there was a fight between two Fulani men; so one Abdullahi Kai invited the soldiers. It was in the course of settling the matter that the incident occurred. Kai is with us and investigation has commenced,” he added.
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Source: Punch
