By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
A soldier has allegedly stabbed a young man, simply identified as Ugo, to death in the presence of his younger brother and cousin after reportedly assaulting and molesting him in Delta State.
The tragic incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, near Plantation City Estate, Otokutu Community, in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
According to witnesses, the soldier, who was in military uniform, stabbed the deceased—whose wife is said to be heavily pregnant—in the hand and rib, causing a deep wound that proved fatal. Ugo, said to be in his early thirties, was confirmed dead at a hospital where he was rushed for treatment.
Ugo (victim)
When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a WhatsApp message sent to our correspondent in Warri, saying:
“We received the complaint. That’s all I can say for now.”
The deceased’s younger brother, identified as Toshi, narrated how the incident unfolded.
According to him, he, his cousin, and the deceased were in his car on their way to visit a friend living in an estate after Plantation City when the confrontation occurred.
“When we got to the estate gate, there were two cars in front of us. We were the third car. The first car entered, the second also entered. As my brother was about to drive in, the security man stopped us and asked who he wanted to see,” Toshi recounted.
“My brother explained that he had come to see a friend and asked after one of the security men he knew, but the guard said his colleague was off duty and requested that he call the person he came to see. While he was on the phone making the call, a soldier in uniform approached and began asking why my brother was trying to force his way into the estate.”
Toshi said his brother tried to explain that he was only waiting for the security clearance when the soldier suddenly slapped him twice.
“When my cousin asked why the soldier was assaulting him, the soldier grabbed my brother through the car window and kept slapping him. My brother stepped out of the car, still asking why he was being attacked. My cousin tried to separate them, but the soldier kept hitting him. Another soldier came out and joined in, ignoring our pleas,” he added.
According to Toshi, the friend they were visiting came out and tried to intervene, telling the soldiers that the men were his guests.
“Despite that, the soldier kept shouting, asking my brother if he knew who he was. My brother tried to move away, but the beating continued. I moved the car aside so it wouldn’t block the gate, and when I came back, I saw my brother lying in a pool of blood. He had been stabbed in the hand and rib. We rushed him to the hospital, but he was confirmed dead,” he said tearfully.
Toshi has appealed to the government, the police, and the army authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing and ensure justice is served.
Human rights activist Comrade Israel Joe has also condemned the act, urging the Delta State Police Command, led by CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, and the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the matter, determine the motive behind the killing, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“This is a clear case of brutality and abuse of power. The life of an innocent young man has been cut short. We demand justice for the deceased and his grieving family,” Comrade Joe said.
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