Residents of Ilesa-Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, Northcentral Nigeria have been thrown into mourning after five civilians were killed by men of the Nigerian Army following a clash between some soldiers and commercial drivers over N100 bribe.
The clash which happened on Friday, along the Ilesha-Baruba/Chikanda expressway also left several others injured. But the identities of the deceased were not known as of the time of filing this report.
This paper learnt that the clash started as a misunderstanding between soldiers and one of the commercial drivers who refused to part with N100 bribe demanded by the soldiers on the road.
The driver claimed to have paid earlier in the morning while going to Sinawu Market.
A source who is more familiar with the incident told HumAngle that the refusal of the commercial driver to part with the bribe angered the soldiers who allegedly assaulted the driver and seized his vehicle.
It was learnt that the driver left the scene and lodged a complaint with officials of the transport union in the area who followed the driver to iron out the issue with the soldiers.
This, however, degenerated into a heated argument, leading to the soldiers opening fire at some of the drivers.
Three died on the spot while two later died of gunshot wounds.
Several others are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Saki while some were taken to native doctors in Kenu village for the removal of bullets from their bodies, NAN reported.
Ajayi Olasanmi, Police Public Relations in Kwara State confirmed the incident to HumAngle.
He said the police have launched an investigation into the incident, adding that the command was yet to confirm the number of casualties.
“The commissioner of police has directed a detailed investigation into the clash. Information available to us is that a guy who passed through the point where border patrol operatives stay for the routine check was flagged, but refused to stop,” Olasanmi said.
“They pursued him, got him arrested. He came out of the vehicle to mobilise youth in the area to attack the operatives.”
“In the course of that many people were injured. I can’t tell you the exact figure now as we are still investigating the incident.”
Governor Reacts
In a reaction to the incident, Abdulrahman Abdulrasak, Governor of Kwara State berated the incident just as he commiserated with families of those who died in the fracas.
“The Governor sincerely commiserates with the Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Prof. Halidu Abubakar and families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident,” the Governor said in a statement issued on Saturday by Rafiu Ajakaye, his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).
The incident is sad and definitely avoidable,” added the governor and cautioned against any activities that could trigger new tensions.
“A government delegation is to pay a condolence visit to the affected community while findings will be conducted to establish all the facts and forestall a repeat of the sad and unfortunate incident.”
Source: HumAngle
