…we settle soldiers, police with 50,000 from Akwa-Ibom to Aba – trailer drivers
The wee hours of the 6th of April 2026 leading to the 7th of April 2026 will remain a tragic day in the lives of trailer drivers who convey timber from Akwa Ibom State to Aba, Abia State, following the tragic murder of their colleague by a yet-to-be-identified Nigerian soldier.
DrumAfricanews learnt that the incident which took place right inside the timber market saw a soldier shoot and shatter the leg of a driver, Mr Kelechi Ejiofor, who later died three days later at the ICU of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Aba.
According to information available to DrumAfricanews, the gruesome murder of Ejiofor is one out of many threats by men of the Nigerian Army on trailer drivers, who have come out to testify to how the soldiers openly tell them how they can easily be killed at night and nothing will happen.
Narrating how Ejiofor was murdered, a colleague of his and his conductor, who was on the same trip with him when the incident occurred, but don’t want to say his name for security reasons, explained that Ejiofor’s death was shocking, as there was absolutely no need for the terrorist behaviour by the soldier.
He said that there was nothing accidental about the gruesome murder of Ejiofor, as the killer soldier already planned it and deliberately executed the action because he believes nothing will happen as usual, following their usual threats.
According to the conductor, “We were conveying wood from Akwaibom to Aba. When we got to the flyover at Alaoji, we dropped some of our passengers, and I gave my driver N1000 to hold while I held mine for the settlement of security depending on whose side they were on.
“When we got to the army checkpoint at the Onions market, there were two soldiers standing there. One was closer to me while the other was standing at least 20 metres across. When we got there, I dropped N1000 for the one closer to me as usual, as we didn’t stop.
“Shockingly, the other one across released a bullet upwards where he was standing. My driver was shocked and asked me if I didn’t give them money, and I replied that I did because the soldier flashing his torchlight closer saw the money.
“So, we kept moving. On reaching the diversion near that first gate of the timber market, a suspicious vehicle crossed us while we had already entered the market. Just four poles from that gate, I saw that same vehicle still flashing light and following us.
“I told my driver to stop somewhere so that this may be the soldier that released the bullet, and he may be coming for me because I saw him through the side mirror. My driver said, ‘Okay, he’ll drive the van to see if we can get to where people are so they can help put mouths in the matter.’
“Suddenly, that vehicle double-crossed us furiously, and I had to jump out and hide in one uncompleted shop and was peeping from there. All I was hearing was “Why you no stop? Why you no stop? Then I heard a gunshot and my driver’s voice shouting that they’ve shattered his legs.
“While I was shivering, I saw the shooter bent down to pick something from the ground while still pointing torchlight to see if someone was watching. Immediately he picked up whatever I don’t know from the ground, he revised his vehicle and moved out from the scene.
“This thing happened around 12 midnight. When the shooter left, I had to rush back to my driver to see how I could help. We struggled with him losing blood until 1AM when, through the help of Uratta/Eziukwu Divisional Police Officer, we got to Ralpha Christian Hospital.”
Adding his voice to the sufferings of lorry drivers, a driver who also did not state his name said, “We always hold our money to settle with these soldiers all the time. We bring our 50,000 for road settlement from Oron to Aba.
“These soldiers beat us mercilessly all the time. We move in the night, and they also warn us that they can shoot us and nothing will happen that night. The soldiers at Uratta are dangerous.”
Meanwhile, the Abia State government, through the commissioner for information, Okey Kanu, has
assured the family of the deceased and the general public that justice will not only be pursued but will be seen to be done.
“Any officer found culpable will face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences,” Kanu said in a statement made available to our reporter.
The full government’s response reads, “The Government of Abia State expresses deep sorrow over the tragic and untimely death of Mr Kelechi Ejiofor, the trailer driver who lost his life following a fatal shooting incident involving a soldier at the Uratta Timber Market, Aba, a few days ago.
“This heartbreaking development has cast a shadow of grief across the state. The government extends its sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and all those affected by this painful loss.
“In response to this incident, the Abia State Government is actively engaging with the military high command to ensure a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
‘We wish to assure the family of the deceased and the general public that justice will not only be pursued but will be seen to be done. Any officer found culpable will face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences.
“The government urges residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and peaceful as efforts are intensified to get to the root of this unfortunate incident.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, the rule of law, and the fundamental rights of every citizen. Abia State remains resolute in its duty to ensure that no act of injustice goes unanswered.”
Meanwhile, after several days of the incident, the Nigerian Army is yet to release a statement about it, nor confirm the involvement of its personnel in the murderous act.
