By Linus Aleke
The Nigerian Army on Thursday denied the reported extrajudicial killing of a civilian, Master Cyril Obruche, at the border town between Edo and Delta states.

Denying the tragic episode, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement said the NA formations under whose areas of responsibility the community fell conducted a discreet investigation that revealed that troops were not deployed to the said company.

According to him, “The Nigerian Army (NA) has been notified of a publication by Vanguard Newspapers, 30 March 2022, where it was alleged that NA troops deployed in Ovre – Eku community; a border town between Edo and Delta states shot and killed one Master Cyril Obruche. The unfortunate incident allegedly occurred during a protest at PRESCO plc in the border community.

“For the records, considering the sanctity of human life and the enormity of the allegation, the NA formations under whose areas of responsibility the community fall conducted a discreet investigation that revealed that troops were not deployed to the said company, viz., PRESCO plc. The media report is not only misleading but laced with falsehood orchestrated to present the NA in a bad light.

“It is important to unequivocally state that no soldier has deployed at Ovre – Eku community, thus the unfortunate incident that led to the death of Master Cyril Obruche during the protest cannot be attributed to troops of the NA. It is also pertinent to reiterate that, the corpse of the deceased is not in the custody of the NA.

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‘While, the NA sincerely sympathizes with the family of the deceased and members of Ovre – Eku community, individuals or groups peddling this falsehood are please urged to get their records straight and desist from misinforming the public, thereby tarnishing the image and reputation of the NA”.

The NA, he concluded remains resolute in its resolve to respect the fundamental rights of the citizenry and adhere to extant rules of engagement in internal security Operations.