Army Investigates Alleged Killing Of Lagos Driver By Soldiers

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, on Sunday, said it has commenced an investigation into the alleged killing of a Lagos driver by its officers in Lagos State.

In a statement by the acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, he said the Division and the Lagos State Police Command were carrying out investigation to unravel the identities of the suspects and the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

Lit.-Col. Ayeni, however, assured Lagosians that if the suspects were identified as serving Soldiers, they would be made to face the full wrath of both military and civil laws.

The statement read, “Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to inform the general public that it has commenced investigation into an alleged killing of one Mr Lawal who was said to have been killed by some persons in military uniform on 17 August 2023. In as much as information into the allegation is still scanty at the moment, being a responsible organisation, Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army considers it appropriate to bring the occurrence to public notice and the steps taken to identify the alleged persons in military uniform, believed to be soldiers, and bring them to justice, if truly they are serving soldiers.

“The Division is currently carrying out investigation in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Lagos State Command to unravel the identity of the alleged suspects and the circumstances surrounding the alleged unfortunate incident. At the end of the investigation, if the suspects are identified as serving soldiers, they will be made to face the full wrath of both military and civil laws.”

Ayeni also sought for patience from the family of the deceased, saying justice will be served.

“While the matter is under investigation, Headquarters 81 Division requests the family of the deceased to exercise patience and wait for the outcome of the investigation as whosever is found wanting will be made to face disciplinary action. The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for troops’ misconduct or involvement of its personnel in any form of criminality, hence, will not allow this allegation to go unravelled.

“Consequently, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Maj Gen MT Usman, commiserates with the family of the victim while promising that justice would be served accordingly. He assures the family of the deceased that whosoever killed their loved one will not be allowed to go unpunished,” Lit.-Col. Ayeni added.