Soldiers in the Adigbe area of Abeokuta, Ogun State shot and killed two men, Sale Abacha and Malummodu Ibrahim.

It was gathered that the soldiers, reportedly led by one Lt. Col. Ali, and one Barrister Bashir, invaded the community around 1am last Saturday.

Besides the two people killed, five other persons sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre.

It was learnt that there was an argument earlier on New Year’s day between Bashir that led the soldiers to the community.

He returned with the soldiers to deal with those he had the altercation with, they believe.

An eyewitness, Ibrahim Suleiman, told The PUNCH that residents were asleep when Bashir and the soldiers stormed the community and shot indiscriminately.

He said, “The gunshots woke me up and I immediately heard the soldiers ordering everyone to lie down. One of them said anyone that runs should be shot. My brothers and I were on the floor until they got into our room and told us to come out.

“The soldiers led us to where they gathered other members of the community and when we got there, they told Barrister Bashir to finger those arguing with him in the afternoon. The soldiers took the three people he selected away.

“Before they left, we asked where they were taking them to, but the person who led the team introduced himself as Lieutenant Colonel Ali, and said he would report the incident at the Adigbe Police Station.”

The Seriki of Apoki-Adigbe community, Abdullahi Hazan, while demanding justice, urged the authorities to intervene in the matter, saying the invasion was criminal.

However, when contacted, the spokesperson for the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Olaniyi Osoba, said soldiers raided the community in pursuit of fleeing Boko Haram terrorists.

He said, “Following credible intelligence on the presence of fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in Apoki-Adigbe area of Abeokuta South LGA, troops raided the suspected hideout. During the operation, troops arrested three suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are indigenes of Gwoza and Danboa LGA of Borno State.

“However, on the claim that two persons were shot dead during the raid, investigation will be conducted and I will get back to you on it.”