Posted by By FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa on
An 11 year-old girl, Blessing Isaiah has been reportedly shot by a soldier attached to the Joint Military Task Force in Nembe local government of Bayelsa state.
An 11 year-old girl, Blessing Isaiah has been reportedly shot by a soldier attached to the Joint Military Task Force in Nembe local government of Bayelsa state.
The incident which happened penultimate week has already drawn the ire of the Network of Freedom fighters, which is demanding a probe into the issue by the military authorities so that the culprit can be brought to book.
Investigations revealed that on the fateful day, some suspected sea-pirates arrested were being interrogated under unpleasant situation forcing a man to demand that the soldiers take the suspects to the police station rather than torture them.
This was said to have irked the soldiers as one of them chased the man and unable to catch up with him shot and the bullet hit Blessing where she was.
Immediately her mother and other relatives rushed her to the Nembe General Hospital but unfortunately the doctor was not on duty but some medical personnel on duty administer first aid her and refer her to the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa where she was further refer to a private clinic also in Yenagoa
The coordinator of the Network of Freedom Fighters Mr. Nengi James condemned the action of the soldier and demanded a probe into the issue to unravel the identity of the soldier who shot the girl.
James decried the attitude of some men of JTF and charged its leadership to call them to order before the situation gets out of control with Ijaw youths protesting indiscriminate shooting in their communities.
Reliable sources within the JTF said the authorities have already begun investigations into the matter as it would not tolerate any of its men to rubbish the image of the security outfit.
And in related development the Vice- Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Tippers Drivers Unit, Mr. Shina Sanusi said the union is about losing patience in the case of the shooting of one of its tipper conductor, Miebi Anderson.
The union statement is coming at the heels of report that Anderson leg has been amputated as a result of the bullet wound.
Anderson was allegedly shot by a soldier attached to the Chino Deco Construction Company over argument on a N500 levy he was expected to pay.
Sanusi said the union would not hesitate to call for an industrial action if the relevant authorities refuse to pay the necessary compensation and hand over the soldier to the police for prosecution.