Army explains how soldier ‘misfired’ self to death in Ogun

By Adejoke Adeleye Ogun

The Nigerian Army has dismissed the claim that a soldier identified as Gnr Boyi ThankGod attached to the 35 Artillery Brigade command killed himself because he was not paid Ration Cash Allowance, RCA.

Boyi ThankGod with identity 23NA84 shot himself dead at 35 Artillery Brigade command, Abeokuta Ogun State where he was deployed to be on Standby Force on 15, January, the same day he allegedly killed himself.

There have been speculations, especially on social media that the soldier killed himself because he was not paid his RCA.

But the Headquarters of 81 Division in a statement issued to newsmen in Ogun by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni dismissed. Rather, he said ThankGod negligently misfired himself on duty.

“The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army ( NA) has been drawn to insinuations making the rounds on social media alleging that a soldier of 35 Artillery Brigade terminated his life due to non-payment of Ration Cash Allowance (RCA).

“Having lost one of its soldiers, the authorities of the Division feel deeply concerned that some mischief makers under whatever guise would employ such sad occurrence to malign the image of the Division and the NA in general.

“Nevertheless, for the sake of posterity, it needs to 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 in his death. His colleagues who heard the sound of a gunshot 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,”