1st April, 2019
What began as a mere argument between Mrs Aniefiok Otobong Jumbo and Men of the Nigerian Army Attached to 6th Battalion, Nigerian Army, Ibagwa, Akwa Ibom State has reportedly culminated in the death of her husband Mr Otobong Jumbo at Uta Ewa waterside, Ikot Abasi LGA.
According to the wife of the deceased, she had an argument pertaining to the site she chosed to ease herself (defecate) at the water bank.
“When I bent down to defecate, I saw flashes of torchlights pointed at me, it happened to be men of the Nigerian Army on duty at Uta Ewa waterside”
“They asked me to relocate to another point which I obeyed. They continued to point the torchlights on me. At that point I protested, which led to series of arguments.
‘That particular Soldier has been pestering me for sexual relationship, which I rebuffed,telling him I am a married woman”
Mrs Jumbo said that while the argument lasted, people of the community had gathered to witness what was going on.
Asked when the incident occurred she said it was about 10pm, Tuesday, 26/3/2019.
Angered by the incident with the woman, two soldiers headed to the residence of the deceased which is within the waterside area and forcefully dragged him to the scene of the argument at the waterside.
According to the wife and some eyewitnesses, Mr Otobong Jumbi was severely beaten, totured and manhandled. He was hit by the soldier with their gun butt which led to his collapsing into the river.
According to eye witnesses “had the soldiers allowed us to rescue him at that point, his life would have been saved. But they didn’t allow”.
It was when the soldiers saw that Otobong was no more moving in the water, they fled the scene.
At this point he was rescued and with the help of the men of NNS Jubilee of the Nigerian Navy who arrived later, the deceased was rushed to the Naval Clinic. After much effort, he was referred to Emmanuel Hospital, Eket. Due to the critical condition he was first taken to Betany Hospital, Ata Udo Usung, Ikot Abasi LGA where the doctors on duty cerfied Mr Otobong Udo Jumbo dead. His corpse was deposited at Ikot Abasi General Hospital Mortuary.
The Family and the Community are therefore calling on all relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this heinous crime and bring Perpetrators to book.
The deceased left behind 2 wives and seven Children.
Some of the soldiers fingered in the crime are S/Sgt Tagun Yakubu Banu and Sgt Austin Lamun Dauda of the Nigerian Army.
As at the time of filling this report, the Nigerian Army are yet to issue any official Statement on the incident.
