Army Begins Probe Of Soldier Over Death Of Bus Driver In Ondo

The Nigerian Army on Thursday disclosed that it has commenced a full-scale investigation into the death of a commercial bus driver due to an altercation with a soldier at a military checkpoint in Ondo state.
It was gathered that the driver died on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo.

The army, in a statement on Thursday, by the assistant director of army public relations, 32 artillery brigade, Njika Irabor, said that last Sunday, the late driver was heading to Abuja from Akure when his vehicle developed a fault and was parked close to a military checkpoint at Akunu in the Akoko North-East LGA of Ondo state.

Irabor said when the vehicle screeched to a halt, some of the passengers requested a refund of their fares from the driver, adding that a passenger approached the soldier to help retrieve the fares.

“Consequently, the soldier showed up and displayed very uncouth and unprofessional conduct, resulting in an altercation with the driver, which led to physical contact between the soldier and the driver.

“The soldier acted contrary to the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct guiding his deployment at the checkpoint. Immediately, Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade got wind of the incident.

They quickly evacuated the driver to a medical facility, took responsibility for the medical expenses, and assigned an officer to be with the driver throughout the period he was being managed at Akoko.

“He was referred to Ondo State Specialist hospital, Akure, and thereafter referred to Federal Medical Centre Owo, where he sadly passed on on Monday, 14 October 2025.

“Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade has paid a condolence visit to the family members of the deceased and the leadership of NURTW Ondo State and promised to take care of the burial expenses and other welfare matters to ensure that the vacuum of the demise of the breadwinner of the family does not disrupt the academic pursuit of the children.”

Irabor said the army would ensure that the soldier faces the full wrath of the law and that the outcome is made public.