The soldier (name withheld), who is suspected to have assaulted and stabbed to death a bouncer at a club in Bonny, Rivers State has been arrested and is currently assisting the law enforcement agencies in their investigations.

Press Secretary to the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, Boma Waribor disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 in Bonny, Rivers State.  

The statement informed that the soldier, who is attached to one of the military facilities in Bonny, allegedly stabbed and killed the bouncer who prevented him from gaining entrance into the club with his service weapon.

Waribor further informed that the suspect “is currently in security custody assisting in the investigation of the matter”.

He stated that “in view of the foregoing, the Executive Chairman is calling on sympathisers and the general public at large to continue being calm as the government is very interested in this gruesome murder case and would follow it up until the full wrath of the law is exhaustively meted out on anyone found guilty”.

“The Chairman of Council has equally expressed gratitude to some patriotic youths who assisted with information leading to this crucial arrest.”

“She further commended the security agencies in Bonny for their coordinated approach to the incident and for not resting in their oars, urging them to remain steadfast until justice is served.”

There was palpable tension in Bonny, Rivers State on the morning of Monday, December 11, 2023 as rumours of the murder of the bouncer, Kingsley Abbey, by a soldier over disagreements on access to a night club.

The soldier was said to have gone to assist a friend of his to allegedly intimidate someone at Alamo Beach at Orosikiri Community but was unsuccessful and thereafter headed to Tina’s Bar to cool off.  

But on getting to the club, the bouncer told him he has deposit his weapon before being allowed into the club, a suggestion that allegedly infuriated him.

Eyewitnesses say he dragged the bouncer by the shirt and started assaulting him. When other clubbers who witnessed assault clustered, he ran off with a friend of his and was chased by them to First Bank junction.

An eyewitness told Kristina Reports that the soldier was confronted by the bouncer as to his actions at the club and a scuffle ensued.

Eyewitnesses further revealed that the soldier allegedly beat up the bouncer and the other civilian challengers before jumping on and straddling the bouncer who was already lying on the floor incapacitated, and used a dagger to stab him at the heart which led to his death.