Suspected soldier in police net for murder of businessman

By BASSEY ANTHONY, Uyo

The police in Akwa Ibom on Tuesday arrested a man said to be a soldier for the alleged murder of a businessman in Ikot Abasi Local government area of the state.

It was gathered that the army officer killed the businessman and dispossessed him of his vehicle after giving him a ride on Sunday

A source from Ikot Abasi LGA told our correspondent on Tuesday that the suspected officer was tracked and arrested at Ukanafun LGA and the vehicle including a rifle recovered from him.

“The incident happened on Sunday; a motorist offered a serving army officer a ride in his vehicle, not knowing that he was going to kill him. They got to place, the army officer attacked and killed him and after killing him dumped his corpse by the way side.

“The attention of the police was drawn to the scene and they swoopped into action and recovered the corpse and later deposited it at the mortuary for preservation. That was on Sunday.

“On Monday, the deceased relatives came to the police in Ikot Abasi for assistance. Fortunately, the vehicle had a tracking device, so the police assisted them in tracking the vehicle, they tracked the car to Ukanafun LGA, where they surrounded the place and arrested the armed officer, recovered the vehicle, and an AK-47 rifle from him,” the source said.

The source said the entire Ikot Abasi LGA has been thrown into jubilation over the arrest and recovery of the vehicle.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said the matter is under investigation, adding that the police is still trying to confirm the Identity of the person involved.

“The matter is still under investigation, we are trying to get report and determine the Identity of the person involved,” he said. (Text excluding headline, courtesy The Nation)