Troops gun down gang leader attempting to rescue diesel theft suspect in A’Ibom

Operatives of the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akwa Ibom State have reportedly shot a suspected criminal gang leader in the leg after he allegedly attempted to mobilize his associates to free a driver arrested for siphoning diesel from heavy-duty equipment belonging to an oil company in Ukpe Ete, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. The name of the suspect has not been disclosed.

Captain Lawal Muhammad, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the 2 Brigade Headquarters, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to newsmen in Uyo on Sunday. He said that while dispersing the crowd, the operatives discovered a dead body with a coffin placed beside it. The body was subsequently evacuated to a mortuary for further investigation.

Muhammad said the operatives, acting on intelligence after receiving information about the activities of criminal elements siphoning diesel from heavy-duty equipment, conducted a follow-up operation which led to the arrest of the suspect (a driver).

According to him, while returning the suspect and the exhibit to the company’s headquarters for interrogation, youths barricaded the road, hurling stones and bottles in an attempt to free the suspect, noting that in the violent situation, the leader was identified and shot in the leg.

The statement reads in part, “Troops of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, received credible information on the activities of criminal elements siphoning diesel from heavy-duty equipment at Sterling Petroleum and Fertiliser Limited Company located at Ukpe Ete in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

“In a bid to checkmate the criminals, the troops conducted follow-up operations, which led to the arrest of a driver conveying the stolen products. While returning the suspect and exhibit to the company for interrogation, youths in the community barricaded the road in an attempt to free the suspect and exhibit.

“They resorted to hurling bottles and stones at the troops who were carrying out legitimate duty.

“Efforts were made to ensure the situation didn’t escalate further, but to no avail, as they became more violent. Troops also fired warning shots in an attempt to disperse the irate youths and ensure normalcy was restored, but to no avail. Hence, the ringleader was identified and shot in the leg. He was later evacuated to the hospital for treatment.

“The youths later became more violent and resorted to vandalising private vehicles, harassing innocent commuters, as well as attacking Sterling Petroleum and Fertiliser Limited Company trucks that were plying the road.”

The statement added that the troops were later reinforced and the crowd dispersed.

“This led to the discovery of a yet-to-be-identified dead body, with a coffin placed beside the corpse. The remains were immediately evacuated to the mortuary by men of the Nigeria Police Force, reinforced by troops of 2 Brigade. Troops are currently scanning the area to ensure the company’s assets are secured.”

Meanwhile, the Brigade, while appreciating the support and understanding of the general public, reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of law-abiding citizens in Akwa Ibom State.

It urged residents to provide actionable intelligence to security agencies as the investigation is ongoing.