Warri Killing: Buhari urged to dismiss, prosecute killer soldier
By Abiodun Alao
President Mohammadu Buhari has been tasked to ensure the immediate dismissal and prosecution of a military rating who shot dead an Itsekiri youth late last week in Warri.
The soldier fired several shots at then waited till the little boy Joseph Pessu died, preventing anyone from coming to his aid . The killing was trailed by another video of soldiers from Ikeja 9th Brigage boasting they would invade Warri and rape “mother’s and sisters.”
In a statement on Sunday the Oodua Nationalist Coalition, (ONAC), said the murder of Pessu was unprovoked and that the soldier murdered the boy willfully and deliberately
ONAC is a coalition of several Pan-Yoruba groups. The statement signed by ONAC-s Director of Publicity, Mr Akinola Meduna said the soldier ought to have been dismissed by now adding that the people on their own have identified the soldier responsible for the crime.
ONAC said “The murder of Pessu is babaric, wicked and provocative. The soldier acted as if he had no training at all. He behaved like a common criminal because he failed to distinguish himself from a street thug. The tradition of a disciplined Army is expressed in their relationship with their own people in war and peace time. In this case, the soldier threw away professional ethics and acted like a grossly irresponsible thug in uniform.”
ONAC said further “We are disturbed that a Nigerian soldier has caused so much pain and misery to the lives of Itsekiri. The killing of Pessu is also an attack on Yoruba Nation.”
ONAC stated :We call on President Buhari to act fast. The patience of the people is running out.”
ONAC further said that there is nothing that can replace the wasted soul adding that the people were under severe pressure to revenge the killing in proportional measure. “The only way is for the President to ensure justice We expect to see full investigation so as to punish the erring soldier.”