The Headquarters of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, has confirmed that a tense encounter between a soldier and a suspected criminal resulted in the death of one person at the Delta Marine Logistics and Technical (DMLT) Estate in Warri, Delta State.
In a statement released by Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, on Wednesday, the Brigade explained that the incident took place on Monday, when a soldier on duty tried to stop a group of unknown individuals who attempted to enter the estate without going through the required security checks.
According to the statement, the individuals became aggressive and disorderly when asked about their identities and why they were trying to enter the restricted area.
“The situation quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, during which the soldier, acting in self-defense, used his combat training and ended up injuring one of the individuals,” the statement said.
The injured suspect was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment but was later declared dead. The Otu-Jeremi Police Division in Delta State was immediately informed to carry out further investigations and take appropriate action.
Captain Bawa-Rijau stressed that the Nigerian Army is dedicated to protecting human rights and maintaining professionalism in all its operations.
“The Brigade would like to remind the people of Delta State to follow the law and cooperate with security checks as outlined in the standard procedures,” the statement said.
“Respect for the fundamental rights of citizens has always been a top priority in how we carry out our duties in Delta State.”
The statement also reassured residents that the Army will continue working closely with other security agencies to keep peace and order throughout the state.
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