Gunmen suspected to be cultists have allegedly killed a soldier in Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that the soldier was shot dead on Thursday night around Igbogene in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
Though details of the incident were sketchy, the slain soldier was said to be a Lance Corporal.
His assailants were said to have lured him out to the spot with a phone call over an unconfirmed deal that reportedly went sour, before shooting him dead.
The spokesperson for the 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Elebele, Tonye Wenke, did not answer calls made to his phone number.
He had yet to respond to a text message sent to him by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.
But the acting Chairman, Bayelsa Volunteers, Lucky Asanakpo, said that the organisation, in collaboration with stakeholders, has arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of the soldier.
Asanakpo identified them as MacNelly Vincent, 27; and Gilizibe Taldord, 26.
According to him, they were apprehended within the area of the incident, while a third suspect escaped.
He said, “Our surveillance unit got wind of the killing of the soldier and immediately swung into action by spreading its tentacles around.
“We caught two suspects, but a third suspect identified as Confidence and some others are at large. Concerted efforts are being made by the security agencies to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
The two suspects have been handed over to the military formation in Igbogene area.
Asanakpo stressed the need for cooperation between community leaders and security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.
