Outrage in Ondo as soldiers stab trader to death over refund dispute

The atmosphere of Akure metropolis, Ondo State capital, was engulfed with tension at the weekend following the alleged killing of a trader identified as Ezeani Ebuka by some soldiers purported to be from the 32 Artillery Brigade.

The incident subsequently sparked outrage and unrest in the Mobil area of the popular Arakale road, where the incident happened as fellow traders of the deceased barricaded the road.

With the protest leading to a heavy traffic jam, some passersby and other road users scampered for safety over the fear of the protest escalating into fracas as well as disrupting business activities.

According to one of the traders who craved anonymity, trouble began when one of the soldiers mobilised his colleagues to ask for a refund for a service rendered by the 27-year-old deceased trader.

The situation, according to him, led to arguments between the soldier and the trader, during which he was fatally stabbed by one of the soldiers.

In another account of what transpired, another trader who also preferred anonymity stated that before the stabbing of the deceased, the soldiers had beat him and members of his family, with one of them now in a coma.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command assured the public that efforts had begun to bring the perpetrators to justice.

According to the police spokesperson in the state, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Olusanya, who stressed that an investigation had commenced, the police command had demanded that the military authorities identify the soldiers.

“Yes, the police can confirm the stabbing of a young man by a soldier; the command is in touch with the military authority so that the culprit(s) can be identified and arrested,” she said.