ASABA/Nigeria: The Nigerian Army, through an officer, who don’t want to be mentioned have explained what transpired that led to the death of Mr. Joseph Pessu, a 28 years Deltan in the hands of the Nigerian Army on April 2, 2020, in Warri, Delta State.
According to the source, in the early morning of Thursday, at about 0800am. Troops deployed at Ubeji Guard Location were alerted of a suspected Armed Robber and Car Snatcher in a black colour Camry car without plate number by unarmed policeman and community vigilante who have established a checkpoint close to own troops guard location, in other to enforce the stay at home order from the stay state government.
The soldiers were called when the suspect allegedly broke through the police checking point and refused to stop for search which led to the chatting of Armed Robber by the police and vigilante at the scene of the incident.
Accordingly, own troops who were on sentry at the time of the incident on sighting the suspect immediately responded and aimed at the vehicle tyre in a bit to force the suspect to stop. However, the suspect refused, broke through the barricades and kept on driving until he got to Ugbuwangwe community where he abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee.
During the pursuit by one of the soldiers attached to Operation Delta Safe, (OPDS), took a shot at the suspect in an attempt to incapacitate him by one of the soldiers in other not to allow the suspect escape, but unfortunately this led to the death of the suspect in the process which resulted to unrest in the community.
Consequently, the Commanding Officer 3 Battalion (Rear) in company of the Area Commander Warri visited the scene and calmed the situation down. According to the source, the accused soldier has been arrested and presently in the custody of the Military Police (MP), who have been directed to thoroughly investigate the incident.
The source stated that the outcome of the investigation will be made known to the general public after their preliminary findings.
However, the Headquarters of the 63 Brigade, has appealed to Deltans, especially those residents in Warri and environs to go about their legitimate businesses, as troops will continue to discharge their responsibilities of the protection of lives and property.
