October 28, 2009 15:48 (3 hours ago), 1,159 views

By Dedeigbo Ayodeji & Ekene Obidike

A soldier has shot and killed Friday Ojeh, a bureau de change operator at Ikeja.

Ojeh was shot in the forehead at about 3.40p.m yesterday by one of the two soldiers who stormed the premises of Jabita Hotel, where Ojeh and others operate.

P.M. News gathered that Ojeh, who hailed from Kwale Local Government Area of Delta State, died instantly, with brain splattered on the floor.

The victim’s brother, Harrison, said: “I was not at the scene of the incident. It was the sound of gun blast that drew my attention and others to the scene, only to discover that my own brother had been shot dead.”

He also stated that Ojeh moved about two months ago to his newly completed house in Agbado crossing area, a boundary community between Lagos and Ogun states.

He narrated further: “There was a crisis here on Friday when a lady who came to patronise a bureau de change operator here said she was short-changed. But that had been resolved. It was not even my brother who short-changed the lady.

“Two soldiers with a lady came this evening (yesterday). Eyewitnesses told me that soldiers asked for his own share of the deal that took place on Friday. My brother explained to him that he was not involved and that there was nothing left for him.

“As my brother tried to explain to them, the soldier who shot him did not listen. He pushed him back and shot him on the forehead. After that, the soldiers strolled down to Alade market where they were posted.”

The soldiers and the woman who claimed to have been short changed were later arrested and later taken to Area ‘F’ Police Command Ikeja.

Another bureau de change operator, Babatunde Balogun, said the soldiers who were posted to Alade market came to Jabita Hotel to claim ‘title’, which means bribe.

He urged Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, to save operators from the lawless soldiers who usually abandon their duty posts to harass operators at the hotel.

Friday’s sister, Mrs. Patricia Nmaloko, who wept profusely after she was informed about Ojeh’s death, described him as a peaceful man.

She regretted that Ojeh’s life could be cut short too soon.

Nmaloko said when Ojeh’s father died, he was just three years old and he became an orphan a few years later, when his mother also died.

She said that was the reason the late Ojeh, the 36-year old father of three, Ruth, 4, Benjamin,3 and 2-month old Shadrack, married very early.

Policemen from Area F, Ikeja, removed the body of the victim to the mortuary for autopsy. They said investigation into the incident was ongoing.


http://thepmnews.com/2009/10/28/soldier-blows-off-head-of-money-changer

I think I know this guy back in Festac town. I will confirm later.

am sorry for the family, may God giv them the fortitude to bear the loss!