A mobile police officer guarding a Shell Petroleum Development Company in Odimodi community has killed a soldier.
The mobile police officer who reportedly killed the soldier
A Nigerian soldier has been reportedly shot dead by a mobile policeman guarding an oil facility operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company in Odimodi community, Delta State.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Saturday during a misunderstanding between the two men.
The late soldier killed by the policeman
Eyewitnesses had seen the two engage in a fierce exchange of words. The argument was followed by multiple gunshots a few minutes later. The cause of the disagreement remains unknown.
After killing the victim, the policeman shot continuously into the air to scare away residents before absconding with the victim’s rifle.
It was gathered that operatives of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, later sent some of its men to remove the corpse from the scene.
Narrating how the incident happened, a community leader, who did not want to be identified, said, “The incident happened on Saturday at noon. The two officers – a mopol and the military officer – were members of a combined security team stationed to guard oil facilities in Odimodi community. They had a misunderstanding. After a while, we heard gunshots.
Body of the dead soldier
“When people got there, they discovered that the mobile policeman had killed the soldier. The policeman cocked his gun and fired at the soldier and thereafter shot to scare people away from the scene.
“He (policeman) took the soldier’s gun and ran away. As of now, he has not been apprehended. The JTF authorities have removed the corpse of the slain soldier. There is tension in the community as we speak. People are afraid that the military may invade the community.”
The police officer has been arrested.