Soldier kills tanker driver over wrong parking

A Petroleum tanker driver, one Mohammed Isah was at the weekend shot dead by a trigger-happy soldier at a check-point in Kaduna. The incident has angered members of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTDA) to disrupt transportation of petroleum products in the state. But authorities of the Nigerian Army said they were investigating the incident, adding that the family and friends of the deceased had been pacified to remain calm as justice would be done accordingly.
According to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 1 Mechanized Nigerian Army Division, Colonel Sani Usman Kukasheka, “I wish to acknowledge the allegation of shooting by our soldier. “ I wish to state that the headquarters of 1 Division is aware of the incident and has commenced investigation with a view to ascertain the cause of the soldier’s action involved, to ensure justice is done. “1 Div. has gone an extra mile in dialogue with PTDA with a view to reaching a possible solution, we are appealing to them to remain calm in the interest of peace “We are appealing to the family and friends of the deceased and the PTDA to remain calm, Army will not condone any breach of the rule of engagement by any of its officers or soldiers.”
The deceased who was said to have travelled all the way from Gombe to load fuel at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) was shot dead over argument of alleged wrong parking of his vehicle near the check-point at the KRPC junction However, other soldiers on duty at the check-point, according to an eyewitness, were able to rush the driver to St. Gerald Catholic Hospital in Kaduna where he later died.
An eyewitness said, “The decease came from Gombe to load fuel but was shot by the soldier for refusing to comply with an instruction at the NNPC/KRPC junction.” .