SOLDIER KILLED IN ABA COMMUNITY: UNCERTAINTY DEEPENS AS RESIDENTS AND SECURITY SOURCES GIVE CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
26- NOV- 2025

A tragic incident in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State has sparked fear and confusion, following the killing of a young Nigerian soldier, identified as Lance Corporal David, by unidentified armed men. The attack, which occurred while the soldier was visiting his family home, has thrown the community into mourning and intensified security presence in the area.

According to local accounts, the late soldier—originally from Edda in Ebonyi State but raised and educated in Aba—had only recently returned home on a short pass to recuperate from an appendicitis surgery. Having joined the Nigerian Army in 2020, he had served in Northern Nigeria before being deployed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Community members reported that he was unarmed, in civilian clothing, and recovering quietly when the assailants invaded the family compound and fatally shot him, reportedly in the presence of his distraught mother.

Residents described the attack as deliberate and emotionally wrenching, with some suggesting it may have stemmed from cult-related disputes. Eyewitnesses recalled that the victim had been seen playing football with neighbourhood youths a day before the incident, and that shortly after his killing, another individual known to have ties to a cult group was reportedly murdered nearby—fueling speculation of an escalating local rivalry.

However, military sources have offered a different account. A security official attached to the 14 Brigade in Ohafia, who confirmed the soldier’s death, alleged that the attack bore the hallmarks of a targeted strike by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This claim has been disputed by residents, who insist that the attackers wore black attire and appeared motivated by a personal grievance rather than any political ideology.

The development has led to heightened tension in Ugwunagbo, as security operatives reportedly launched sweeping arrests in the aftermath, detaining several young men for questioning. Residents say the increased military patrols have contributed to a charged atmosphere as the community seeks clarity and justice.

As of the time of this report, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Abia State Government has issued an official statement on the killing. Meanwhile, fears linger within the community as conflicting narratives continue to cloud the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the young soldier.