Chononso Obasi, a 28-year-old man, was shot and killed by a soldier in Ovim village, Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State.

On Monday, January 3, about 9 p.m., the event occurred in Ovim’s famed Oriendo market.

Residents told Punch that the soldier had accused the deceased of blocking their way when he stormed the community with his companions.

Trigger-happy soldier kills 28-year-old man in Abia community for allegedly blocking his way

While the victim, who was supposed to be from the Amune community, stood up to make way for them, one of the military officials shot him in the head, killing him instantly.

Chinonso was shot without provocation, according to his relative, Evangelist Ugochukwu Kingsley Bassey, who corroborated the occurrence.

A socio-political activist, Eric Dwyse Ikwuagwu, said that Chinonso was slain because he refused to give up his seat at a drinking establishment to the army.

“A soldier of the Nigerian Army attached to a very top former military brass killed Mr. Chinonso Obasi, a youth of Amune community, who was resident in umuahia until his senseless murder yesterday’s evening, the 3rd of January 2022,” he wrote.

“The ugly incident happened at the popular oriendo market in Ovim. Eye witness account has it that the deceased was ordered to vacant his seat at a drinking bar for the trigger happy Orderly. The deceased who refused to give up his seat and questioned the reason for such unnecessary high-handedness was shot immediately by this army personnel who was not even on uniform when the incident happened. This careless murder must not be swept under the carpet no matter who he is attached to as security Orderly. No life is more precious than another.”

The traditional ruler of Amune community and Okwu II, HRH Eze Chigbu Ikwulagu, said community leaders were in a meeting over the incident.

““There are different versions of what happened and we are still investigating. We will come out with a statement on the matter,” he added.

An official of the Nigerian Army, who confirmed the incident, said it had been reported to the Army headquarters and investigation was on.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said the police were also looking into the matter.