Tobias Sylvester
A couple who were personnel of the Nigerian Army has been murdered by gunmen while traveling to the state to formalize their traditional marriage rite in Imo State.
Gunmen Kill Nigerian Army Couple In Imo
According to Punch, a military source said that the woman was first raped before she was shot dead along with her fiancé. The couple were later beheaded.
The source said the couple were traveling for their traditional marriage when the incident happened, adding that the criminals made a video of the incident and circulated it online.
The source said, “They were on their way to Imo State on Saturday when the incident happened. The man, a Master Warrant Officer, and the woman, a Lance Corporal, were on transit when they met the criminals who killed them and made videos and circulated online. The woman was raped before they shot at them and cut off their heads.
“The man was a member of the 19 regular intakes while the wife was of the 79RI. The man still has a father; his brother is also a soldier working at a battalion in Kaduna State.”
A gory video of the incident circulating online shows the gunmen putting the heads on the victims’ chests after beheading them.
One of the gunmen who was recorded speaking to a friend of the deceased woman is heard saying, “It’s quite unfortunate that it has come to this way. I killed them already. Have you heard of unknown gunmen before?
“Do you see how soldiers are killing innocent people because of unknown gunmen? Yah, that’s why I caught them yesterday and I killed them,” he was heard telling the lady who later burst into tears.
When contacted, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the incident, adding that the Army was investigating it.
Nwachukwu vowed that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that those who committed the crime were brought to book.
He said, “I have received information about the cold-blooded murder of two of our personnel who were travelling home for their traditional wedding formalities.
“This is a dastardly act unleashed on our personnel by some criminals. The Nigerian Army has commenced investigations to unmask and bring to book the criminals behind the murder.”
This comes two days after five people were killed when gunmen attacked a popular beer parlour in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
