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Soldier Shoots Truck Driver Over N200 Disagreement
An unidentified soldier has allegedly shot a truck driver at Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, for refusal to give a bribe of N200
The incident reportedly occurred about 9pm on Friday at an army checkpoint along Port Harcourt-Airport-Owerri Road, Omagwa.
Eko Hot Blog learnt that the soldier had demanded N200 charge for tankers from the victim, but the latter refused, leading to a situation before the truck driver was shot.
Air passengers and commuters got stranded when the action of the military personnel led to a protest by other truck drivers.
The driver accused the soldiers of extorting them on a daily basis, saying the shooting was the height of it, even as the soldiers later deserted the area for fear of being attacked.
Commenting on the incident, Chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, said the victim was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, saying the council authority intervened and reopened the road.
“We had a development last night where security operatives had issues with tanker drivers in the state. The Association of Tanker drivers shut down the road to commuters.
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“To the glory of God, the tanker driver that was attacked is alive. We took him to the hospital and he is receiving treatment. The local government is taking care of that. We have spoken with the association, the road has been opened.
‘What we are saying is that the perpetrators of this act must be brought to book. The military man must be fished out. Security is provided to ensure the protection of lives and property and not to cause havoc.
“We are saying that no security operatives should collect money from commercial drivers. Ikwerre local government is the only local government that does not have a task-force collecting money from motorists. And we are saying that we will not accept the soldiers to collect money again. We will set up a task force to that effect,” he added.
The Spokesman for 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Charles Ekeocha, could not be reached as he neither answered phone calls nor replied to a text message sent to his mobile our correspondent.
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