The Ondo State Police Command, on Saturday, said it has initiated actions, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, to apprehend a soldier who allegedly killed a trader in Akure, the state capital.
It was gathered that the yet-to-be-identified soldier allegedly stabbed the trader to death at the popular Arakale Market in Akure on Saturday following an argument that ensued between them.
The incident was said to have caused a protest by the colleagues of the deceased at the market but the situation was brought under control by the men of the state police command.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident, said efforts were ongoing to arrest the soldier.
Odunlami said, “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”
A source in the market narrated that the soldier mobilised his colleagues to forcefully get refund of the money he paid to the deceased for an unsatisfactory service, leading to an argument between them.
The source said, “I think the soldier and the trader (deceased) had an argument over service rendered by the trader. I think the solder was not satisfied with the service and he asked for a refund.
“That was when the trouble started. Later, the solder mobilised his colleagues and the arguments continued. It was there the trader was stabbed by one of the soldiers, after which they left the scene.”
The source added that the incident led to a protest as the other traders in the market barricaded the Arakale Road, preventing vehicular movements.
However, the timely intervention of police detectives from the state police command, prevented the situation from degenerating as commuters were stranded on the road for hours.
