Protest in Warri as soldiers shoot man dead for breaking lockdown

A soldier attached to 3 battalion, Warri has allegedly shot a young man, identified as Joseph Pessu to death.

The incident happened along the Ugbuwangue axis of the NPA Expressway, Warri, Delta state.

Pessu, a father of two was shot around 9:40 am on Thursday while riding his power bike.

Eyewitnesses said the deceased was flagged down by a team of the security operatives, who gave a hot chase when he refused to stop for proper identification.

Vexed by his action, one of the officers was said to have aimed and shot on the back leading to his instant death.

The victim was wearing a white shirt and red trousers which were drenched in blood.

He was reportedly taken to the Police Area Command, Warri as sympathizers flocked the scene.

Sources said that he was chased to the scene of the tragic incident, with gunshots to the bike’s tyres.

“An army officer just shot one man in Ugbuwangue. He was riding a power bike and they tried to stop him, but he refused. One of the soldiers shot him. He died instantly,”

State Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, confirmed the development, adding that the timely intervention of the Warri Area Commander, doused the brewing tension in the area.

“If not for the Area Commander Warri, some people would have protested. He quickly moved in and doused the brewing tension,” Inuwa said.