The Headquarters, 81 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) has attributed the tragic demise of a soldier from the 35 Artillery Brigade in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to the mishandling of his personal weapon.
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 81 Division NA, Lieut. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, emphatically dismissed speculative claims circulating on social media that suggested the soldier had taken his own life due to the non-payment of Ration Cash Allowance (RCA).
Expressing profound concern over the loss of one of its dedicated soldiers, the Division’s authorities expressed dismay at the exploitation of this unfortunate incident by individuals with malicious intent, seeking to tarnish the image of both the Division and the Nigerian Army at large.
Ayeni clarified that the deceased soldier had been deployed in the Brigade Standby Force on Monday, January 15, 2024, for daily cantonment duty, alongside his colleagues.
The soldiers were adequately provided with food in accordance with the Nigerian Army’s established standards for troops on duty.
He said an investigation into the immediate cause of the incident showed that the late soldier allegedly mishandled his personal weapon, resulting in an accidental discharge that led to his untimely demise.
Colleagues had, upon hearing the gunshot, rushed to the scene only to find the soldier in critical condition with gunshot wounds to the head.
Ayeni said that a comprehensive investigation had been initiated to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any potential remote causes.
The remains of the deceased soldier have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta.
He further stated that the Division, represented by the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, had extended heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased, acknowledging the profound sorrow brought about by this tragic incident.
Ayeni reiterated the Division’s unwavering commitment to providing necessary welfare measures to boost the morale of troops under its command, in alignmrnt with the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy.
He categorically denied any neglect of the welfare of its troops, refuting as baseless, insinuations to the contrary.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
