A yet-to-be-identified soldier allegedly stabbed a trader, identified as Ebuka, to death on Saturday at Arakale Market in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Peoples Gazette gathered that trouble started when the soldier on mufti came to Arakale, a popular market dominated by Igbo traders, to buy a carpet.

A witness, who identified herself as Olayinka Bello, revealed that the soldier, in the company of his colleague, came to the market on Friday to patronise a female trader.

Mrs Bello revealed that the soldier priced the carpet and decided to pay via mobile money transfer. However, the transaction alert had not been received, and the trader, a nursing mother, refused to release the goods.

“Following the refusal by the woman to release the goods (carpet) because she had yet to receive the transaction, the soldier left with his colleague.

“By the time he returned today (Saturday) to collect the carpet he paid for, the woman said she could not release it because the soldier paid less than they both agreed on. She said she sold the carpet for N2,500, but the man sent N2000.

“This led to an argument, and the soldier began to harass the woman. Sadly, a co-trader (Ebuka) who tried to intervene in the disagreement was stabbed in the stomach with a dagger by the soldier and gave up before he was rushed to the hospital,” she told The Gazette.

The unknown soldier was said to have immediately bolted into the thin air after realising the trader was dead.

It was observed that the incident led to a heavy protest on Arakale Street, as fellow Igbo traders blocked the adjoining road to the market to vent their anger.

A spokesman for the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment of the Nigeria Army in Akure, did not immediately respond to calls despite several attempts by The Gazette.

However, the police spokesperson in Ondo, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the incident.

Mrs Odunlami-Omisanya said the command was already in touch with the military authorities to identify and produce the suspect.  

“Yes, the police can confirm the stabbing of a young man by a soldier; the command is in touch with the military authority so that the culprit(s) can be identified and arrested,” she said in a message.