Soldier kills bus driver, sparks protest

A yet-to-be-identified soldier on Sunday shot and killed a bus driver at Rumuokoro area of Port Harcourt, sparking a protest from passers-by.

THISDAY gathered that the bus driver identified as Michael Nweye was shot dead by a military officer around Rumuokoro round-about in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Eyewitnesses said the bus driver was allegedly running against the traffic towards Rumuokoro round-about and refused to stop when military officers at the Rmuokoro axis of Bori Camp tried to stop him.

The military man was said to have  opened fire on him and shot him dead.

The incident led to an almost violent protest within the scene of the incident as passers-by were said to have been incensed by the incident.

The driver whose name was identified as Michael Nweye is in his early 20s is said to be from Egbeda community in Emohua Local Government area of Rivers State.

A family member, Chinedu Okedi, in his narrative said the family of the deceased would ensure that justice was done.

He narrated: “He was taking one way as they used to do in Rumuokoro, so the soldier man chased him and blocked him. He asked him to come down from the vehicle but the boy refused. And meanwhile, he was carrying passengers before the soldier man shot him. So that was what happened.”

He said the body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary.

The police confirmed the incidence bur said it was an unknown soldier.

The Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, said in as text message: “It was an unknown soldier that shot the man. We have begun investiigation with a view to arresting the person behind the act.”

(This Day)