Tension as Soldier Kills Fulani Boy in Ondo

James Sowole

Tension has gripped AjowaAkoko community in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the alleged killing of a 13-year-old Fulani boy, Usman Adamu, by a soldier on Wednesday.

Also, one other Fulani man, Abdulahi Kayejo, was injured as a result of the gunshot fired by soldiers from a checking point close to the community.

The incident had forced many residents of the agrarian community to abandon their homes for fear of attack by the kinsmen of victims.

There were three accounts of the incident given separately by the police, the Nigerian Army authorities and the community.

A source in the community said the incident occurred when an argument ensued between the soldiers and some Fulani men.

The source said the argument broke out when the Fulani men were engaging in acrobatic display near the checking point, which did not go down well with the soldiers who ordered them to leave the area.

It was gathered that a soldier beat the Fulani man who also retaliated and this subsequently resulted in firing of gunshots.

One of the gunshots was said to have hit the 13-year- old boy who was returning from school.

The army authorities’ account, which was given by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations at the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barack, Akure, Major Ojo Adelegan, said the gunshots were fired as self-defence when the soldiers were attacked by the Fulani men.

Adelegan said the soldiers went to the Ajowa town following a report that some strange Fulani men just arrived the town.

He said the soldiers were attacked when they got to the town and this made them to defend themselves.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, said the command had started investigation into the incident.

He said the preliminary investigation revealed that the incident was sequel to a disagreement between one Fulani man and another one named Adamu Kai, 52.

Joseph said when the crisis ensued between the two men, Kai went to the military checking point and invited a soldier to deal with the other man.

The PPRO said the police have arrested Kai just as the injured person was being treated.

Joseph said the police had begun full investigation into the matter to ascertain the person that fired the shot that hit the two persons.