By Wealth Oghenemaro
A pregnant woman was allegedly shot dead in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, on Saturday evening after soldiers opened fire while chasing suspected internet fraudsters.
The victim, whose identity had not been disclosed as of press time, was reportedly struck by a stray bullet and died on the spot before help could reach her.
Eyewitnesses said troops of Operation Delta Sweep attempted to stop a group of young men at a military checkpoint. When the men allegedly refused to stop, the soldiers pursued them and fired shots. One of the bullets hit the unsuspecting woman, cutting her life short and sparking outrage across the community.
The incident quickly escalated into tension as residents, indigenes, and students poured into the streets in protest, accusing the soldiers of recklessness and disregard for human life.
“We were shocked. The woman had nothing to do with what was happening, yet her life was wasted,” one demonstrator lamented.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Augustine Ogedegbe, condemned the shooting as “avoidable and deeply painful.”
“This is a serious breach of the duty to protect lives. We cannot continue to lose innocent people under such circumstances,” he said.
Ogedegbe vowed to press for justice on behalf of the deceased while urging residents to remain calm and allow the authorities to engage the military command on the matter.
He extended condolences to the bereaved family, assuring them that the council would stand with them in their time of grief.
The killing has once again reignited concerns over the use of live ammunition by security operatives in crowded civilian areas and the recurring loss of innocent lives in such operations.
