There was panic on Thursday evening along Owerri – Onitsha expressway in Eziama Obiato Community in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State after stray bullets fired by some jubilant soldiers at an army checkpoint at Ukwu Orji killed a woman, Mrs Chikaodi Ofoegbu
A source in the community told our correspondent that the 45 year-old mother of four and a native of Umuagha village in Eziama Obiato Community, was farming in her farm, near the military checkpoint when the bullet hit her.
The killing of the woman who the source said was peacefully disposed that flared nerves in the community.
According to eyewitnesses, the officers were jubilating over the safe return of one of their colleagues, who was thought to have been dead following the Easter Monday’s attack on the army checkoint by unknown gunmen.
The source said “The reappearance of the missing officer led to jubilation amongst the soldiers who started shooting repeatedly, thanking God for the safe return of the soldier.
“Unfortunately, one of the bullets touched and killed the woman in her farm nearby. The woman was subsequently rushed to the general hospital, where she was confirmed dead.”
The president general of the community, Goodluck Ebereowo, who spoke to our corespondent on the phone confirmed the incident.
The community leader told our correspondent that he had directed the Chief Security Officer of the community to investigate the incident and get back to him on or before Friday morning for an official response by the community.
The Interim management chairman of Mbaitoli Local Government Area, John Eke, when contacted told our correspondent that he had not been briefed, officially.
The LGA boss said that he was awaiting an official complaint from the community.
The Public Relations Officer of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze Owerri, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, did not take calls put to his phone by our correspondent.
He had yet to respond to a text message sent to his mobile phone as of the time of filing this report.
Credit: THE PUNCH
