Trigger-happy soldier kills man at Benue checkpoint

A middle age man, Terhide Iorpuu, was on Saturday shot dead by a military man,

attached to the Joint Task Force code-named Operation Zenda in Benue State around 6pm.

The victim’s cousin, Terhemba Paul, while narrating the incident to our correspondent, said the innocent blood of his brother would continue to hunt the soldier, who was later identified as Victor Izoma.

He said they were on their way back from a traditional marriage in Ushongu town, Ushongu Local Government Area of the state and got a particular checkpoint, where Iorpuu lost his life.

According to him, one of the soldiers at the checkpoint had waved off the bus, which they boarded, only for the trigger-happy Izoma to open fire at the bus, killing Iorpuu instantly.

Paul added that the matter was immediately reported at the  Ushongu Police Station and the officer was arrested.

He added that that the corpse had been deposited at St. Monica’s Hospital in Adipko, Kwande LGA.

Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Austin Ezeani, confirmed the report, identifying the killer soldier as Lance Corporal Victor Izoma.

He said a full scale investigation had begun.