The Nigerian Army has refuted allegations surrounding the death of a soldier identified as Boyi Thankgod, stationed at the 35 Artillery Brigade in Abeokuta, on Monday, January 16th.
Despite initial reports suggesting suicide due to non-payment of Ration Cash Allowance (RCA), the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, clarified that an investigation revealed the soldier mishandled his personal weapon, leading to a fatal misfire.
The incident occurred on Nigeria’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, casting a shadow over the commemorative event.
Thankgod’s colleagues, upon hearing a gunshot, rushed to the scene only to find him with gunshot wounds to the head. The Army emphasized an ongoing investigation to uncover the circumstances and remote causes of the incident.
Ayeni issued a statement, disclosing that, “Investigation into the immediate cause of the incident indicates that the deceased soldier reportedly handled his personal weapon negligently and misfired, resulting in his death.
The statement added: “His (deceased) colleagues who heard the sound of a gunshot had rushed to the scene of the incident, only to find the soldier in the pool of his blood with gunshot wounds on the head.
“Further investigation has since commenced to unravel the circumstances and possible remote cause of the unfortunate incident, while the remains of the soldier have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
“The Division, through the Commander 35 Artillery Brigade, has informed the deceased family and also expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy over the unfortunate incident.
“It is, however, pertinent to reiterate that the Division is committed to providing the necessary welfare required to boost the morale of troops under command in line with the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy. Therefore, the Division will not under any guise take the welfare of its troops lightly as wrongly insinuated.”