Troops of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have arrested a driver accused of siphoning diesel from heavy-duty trucks belonging to Sterling Petroleum and Fertilizer Limited in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.
According to a statement by Captain Lawal Muhammad, the arrest followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminals at the facility.
While transporting the suspect, some youths reportedly blocked the road and attacked the troops in an attempt to free him.
“They resorted to hurling bottles and stones on the troops who are carrying out legitimate duty,” the statement said.
The army added that efforts to disperse the crowd failed, leading to the shooting of the alleged ringleader in the leg. He was later taken to hospital for treatment.
During the operation, security personnel also discovered an unidentified corpse with a coffin beside it, which was evacuated to the mortuary.
The Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to “safeguarding the lives and property” of residents and urged the public to provide useful information as investigations continue.
