A 28-year-old staff member of Avatar New Energy, a Chinese-owned company operating in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has reportedly died following an incident involving a soldier, according to eyewitness accounts.

The circumstances surrounding Ngbede's death remain unclear and require independent investigation.

According to people who said they witnessed the incident, two staff members were involved in a physical altercation before a soldier, whom witnesses identified as a member of the 177 Guards Battalion, intervened.

The witnesses alleged that the soldier asked the two men to explain what had happened and subsequently sided with one of the men, whom they described as his friend.

They further alleged that the soldier assaulted the other man. When the man's wife reportedly attempted to intervene, witnesses claimed that she was also assaulted despite pleas from people at the scene.

Ngbede was then said to have intervened and questioned the alleged assault of the woman.

Witnesses alleged that the soldier subsequently shot Ngbede in the leg.

They also claimed that efforts to take Ngbede to hospital were delayed and that he lost a substantial amount of blood before receiving medical treatment.

However, Benue Info-pedia has not independently verified the identity of the soldier involved, the circumstances leading to the shooting, the exact cause of Ngbede's death or the allegation that a delay in treatment contributed to his death.

If the eyewitness accounts are confirmed, the incident raises serious questions about the use of force, the conduct of the personnel involved and the circumstances surrounding the victim's access to emergency medical care.

A transparent and impartial investigation would be necessary to establish exactly what happened, who was responsible for each action and whether any criminal or disciplinary offences were committed.

The Nigerian Army and relevant law-enforcement authorities should clarify whether a serving military personnel was involved, the circumstances under which the soldier was present at the location and whether any weapon was discharged.

Avatar New Energy should also clarify what it knows about the incident and whether the company has initiated any internal investigation.

The death of a young worker under circumstances involving an alleged use of firearms is a matter of significant public interest.

At the same time, allegations involving identifiable individuals must be established through evidence and due process. The soldier involved should not be presumed guilty before the facts are independently established.

Benue Info-pedia calls for a prompt, transparent and impartial investigation and urges all relevant authorities to make verified information available to the public.

For Ngbede's family and community, the central question remains simple: what happened, and who is responsible?

Benue Info-pedia will update this report as verified information becomes available.