By Olayemi Esan
The Nigerian Army has refuted reports published by Vanguard Newspapers dated 30 March 2022, where it was alleged that Nigerian Army troops deployed in Ovre – Eku community; a border town between Edo and Delta states shot and killed one Master Cyril Obruche. The unfurtunate incident allegedly occured during a protest at PRESCO plc in the border community.
Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement in Thursday refuted the allegation saying for the records, considering the sanctity of human life and the enormity of the allegation, the Nigerian Army formations under whose areas of responsibility the community fall conducted a discreet investigation that revealed that troops were not deployed to the said company, viz.,PRESCO plc.
The media report is not only misleading, but laced with falsehood orchestrated to present the Nigerian Army in bad light.
It is important to unequivocally state that no soldier was deployed at Ovre - Eku community, thus the unfortunate incident that led to the death of Master Cyril Obruche during the protest cannot be attributed to troops of the NA. It is also pertinent to reiterate that, the corpse of the deceased is not in the custody of the Nigerian Army.
While, the Nigerian Army sincerely sympathizes with the family of the deceased and members of Ovre - Eku community, individuals or groups peddling this falsehood are please urged to get their records straight and desist from misinforming the public, thereby tarnishing the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army.
The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its resolve to respect the fundamental rights of the citizenry and adhere to extant rules of engagement in internal security operations.
