By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
The authority of 81 Division of Nigerian Army, Ikeja, Lagos has disputed news making round that, a soldier of 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, Ogun State terminated his life due to non payment of Ration Cash Allowance (RCA).
Disputing the news, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Div., Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni in a statement said, “it needs be mentioned that the late soldier was deployed at the Brigade Standby Force on Monday 15 January 24 alongside his colleagues for daily cantonment duty and they were adequately fed in line with NA’s standard for troops’ on duties.
“However, investigation into the immediate cause of the incident, indicated that the deceased soldier reportedly handled his personal weapon negligently and misfired, which resulted to his death.
“His colleagues who heard the sound of 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, according to Lt. Col. Ayeni has since commenced “to unravel the circumstances and possible remote cause of the unfortunate incident, while the remains of the soldier has been evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta”.
He added, “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 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”.
