Muktar Mohammed, a Nigerian soldier, has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the killing of a 19-year-old Richman Leyal in Gbaraun community, Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State.
According to The Nation, it was gathered that the soldier was arrested based on the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who ordered the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army to investigate the circumstances that led to the Leyal’s killing.
The chief of army staff was said to have acted on a petition written by Mr. Efieseimokumo Bipeledei, a lawyer to Chief Oweilayefa Akpami, Chief Inaighaghe Abagidi, Chief Solomon Leyal and Mr. Mathial Leyal, who are members of the deceased family.
The teenager was reportedly killed on June 19, 2017 at the site of a community self-help project by gunshots allegedly fired by Mohammed and three other soldiers, who were said to be on the run.
Bipeledei confirmed the suspect’s arrest on Wednesday.
He said: “The military police visited the scene of the crime at Gbaraun community where they saw evidence of sporadic shooting at the scene.
“The team of military investigation visited the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) mortuary to see the body of the deceased where they confirmed that the deceased died of gunshot injury.
“The team later visited the criminal investigation department of the police where the head Homicide Department briefed them of their preliminary findings.”