Police arrest soldier over alleged murder of businessman in A’Ibom

Emmanuel Ekpo, Uyo

Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested an officer of the Nigeria Army for alleged murder of a businessman in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

It was learnt that the businessman gave the officer a lift, and he (the officer) allegedly killed the businessman and took away his vehicle on Sunday.

A reliable source from Ikot Abasi LGA said on Tuesday that the suspected officer was tracked and arrested at Ukanafun LGA, adding that the vehicle and a rifle had been recovered from him.

“The incident happened on Sunday, a motorist offered a serving army officer a ride in his vehicle, not knowing that he was going to kill him.

“They got to a place, the army officer flattened the vehicle’s tyres, attacked the motorist and killed him. After killing him, he dumped his corpse by the roadside.

“The attention of the police was drawn to the scene and they swoop into action and recovered the corpse and later deposited it at the mortuary for preservation. That was on Sunday.

“On Monday, the deceased relatives came to the police in Ikot Abasi for assistance. Fortunately, the vehicle had a tracking device, so the police assisted them in tracking the vehicle.

“They tracked the car to Ukanafun LGA, where they surrounded the place and arrested the army officer, recovered the vehicle, and an AK-47 rifle from him,” the source said.

According to the source the entire Ikot Abasi LGA has been thrown into jubilation over the arrest and recovery of the vehicle.

When contacted, the Public Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said the matter is under investigation, adding that the police are still trying to confirm the Identity of the person involved. He said: “The matter is still under investigation; we are trying to get report, also trying to determine the identity of the person involved.”