Army Officer Shoots Truck Driver over Disagreement in Ilorin

Bandits attack military base, shoot two soldiers

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and Laleye Dipo In Minna

An army officer has reportedly shot a yet-to-be identified truck driver on Okoolowo expressway in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The incident, according to THISDAY checks, occurred last Sunday following a disagreement between the victim and the army officer.

In another development, gunmen yesterday  attacked the military base in Tegina in the Rafi local government of Niger state injuring two military personnel.

The  Ilorin incident, it was learnt, led the trailer-truck drivers in the area blocking  the road to protest against the tragic situation.

An eyewitness account, who sought anonymity, told journalists yesterday in Ilorin that: “The truck driver was coming at the time the soldiers were putting trees on the road and in the process they had an altercation.

“During the process, one of the officers fired shots at the truck and the bullets penetrated the vehicle and hit the driver in the arm and neck.

“The victim was later rushed to the University of Ilorin General Hospital (UITH) for medical attention.”

He, however, stated that “there are reports that he later died but we don’t know whether it is true.”

But, an army source, who confirmed the incident to THISDAY, however, denied the death of the victim, adding that the army had taken up his treatment.

The Army PRO, Sobi, Stephen Nwankwo, said yesterday that “I will get back to you once I am able to access the scene. It’s blocked now.

He was yet to do so before filing this report.

Meanwhile, gunmen yesterday  attacked the military base in Tegina in the Rafi local government of Niger state injuring two military personnel.

During the raid, some civilians were caught and injured in the cross- fire between the gunmen and soldiers.

However,  the leader of the gunmen ,according to reports from the area,  was killed during the encounter with the soldiers.

It was gathered that the gunmen were going towards Mashegu to rustle some cattle when they came to military base leading to the face-off

The Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Alhaji Ayuba Usman Katako, confirmed the story, saying that  the two soldiers shot were responding to treatment at IBB Specialised Hospital Minna.

 Katako further said the security men in the area “ are trying their best to maintain peace and security of lives and property and therefore pleaded with the people to be patient with them. The Police in the state has not commented on the incident.