Ini Sunday, Uyo
There was outrage yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital following the shooting of a judiciary staff, one Godwin Udoka by a soldier over minor argument bothering on the right of way.
It was gathered, Udoka, who was driving the judiciary bus ran into a Hilux van belonging to Wizchino Engineering (WE) Limited with registration number, ABC 222 AY.
“Argument over right of way ensued in the process and the army officer came down when the judiciary driver could not budge, cocked his A-K 47 and shot at the driver”, Effiong Akpan, an eye witness said.
The shooting, which occurred at about 1:00 pm around the Udo Asutan and Eka Streets intersection, heavily shattered the front windscreen of the bus and the passenger door.
Patches of blood could be noticed on the ground, while sympathizers rushed the victim to the University Teaching Hospital (UUTH), where he is currently receiving medical attention at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.
According to eyewitnesses, sound of gunshots sparked pandemonium, sending passersby scampering for cover in nearby buildings and sheds.
The Chairman of the State branch of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Mr. Mbebe Albert, who confirmed the incident, frowned at the action of the soldier, describing it as unprofessional.
“It is an act of irresponsibility and gross abuse of position for a soldier to use the same weapon issued for him to protect the citizenry to turn it against the same people he is paid to protect”
He lamented over the collapse of the rule of law and lack of respect for human persons by security operatives, vowing that the Judiciary would go the extra mile to secure justice on the matter.
He identified the soldier as one of the security operatives guarding the expatriates working for WE engineering firm hired by the state government to fix the Etinan-Onna dual carriage way.
According to the victim’s son, Itoro, “my father has lost a lot of blood; he could barely speak because the bullets pierce through his nostrils and part of his eyes”.
He called on the state government and security agencies to work towards taming the overzealousness of men in uniforms, lamenting that “if allowed unpunished, others would also behave the same way”
