Gunmen kill soldier in Edo

A soldier whose identity is yet to be ascertained has alleged been killed by gunmen in Ijaw communities in Ovia SouthWest Local Government Area of Edo State.

It was gathered that the soldier was killed at the weekend when gunmen ambushed his troop while returning from a routine patrol.

It was further gathered that the assailants after killing the soldier buried him in the bush and left with his gun.

Daily Trust also learnt that his colleagues, who escaped to Ajakurama community with bullet wounds, informed the villagers of the development and were taken to hospital for treatment.

It was further gathered that youths in the area joined a reinforced army team to the area where the soldiers were attacked, only to discover that the assailants had buried the deceased in the bush.

The National Public Relations Officer of Ajakurama community, Elder Tam Nike, who spoke with journalists, said the community had lived peacefully with the military personnel since the military outpost was created.

He described the killing as shocking and worrisome, saying that the soldiers have been providing security for the communities.

When contacted, the spokesman for Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Taskforce, Maj. Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the incident.