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Tag: Soldier

  • Army detains soldier over death of protester in Kaduna

    Army detains soldier over death of protester in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Army has detained a soldier who killed a 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed while attempting to stop hoodlums who were causing mayhem in Samaru, Zaria in Kaduna State on Tuesday.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the troops received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru area of Zaria  in large numbers, burning tyres on the road and pelting stones on security personnel.

    He said the troops immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the State Government.

    “On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums brazenly attempted attacking the troops prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away, which unfortunately led to the death of a 16 year old boy Ismail Mohammed.

    “The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation as at the time of this report,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, was saddened by the unfortunate incident.

    He said the COAS had sent a high-powered delegation led by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Lander Saraso to visit and condole with the family of the deceased.

    According to him, the deceased was buried according to Islamic rites with senior military officers of the Nigerian army in attendance.

  • US soldiers vacate Niger base following military junta’s demand

    US soldiers vacate Niger base following military junta’s demand

    The United States troops have withdrawn from their base in Niger’s capital of Niamey and will fully depart from Agadez in the north before a September 15 deadline set by the country’s military rulers.

    Niger’s military leaders scrapped a military cooperation deal with Washington in March, after seizing power in a July 2023 coup.

    The US had around 650 soldiers in Niger as part of anti-jihadist missions in several Sahel nations of West Africa, including a major drone base near Agadez.

    “The defence ministry of Niger and the US Defence Department announce that the withdrawal of American forces and equipment from the Niamey base 101 is now completed,” the two countries said in a statement on Sunday.

    A final flight carrying US troops was due to leave Niamey late Sunday.

    presence had stood at around 950 troops, and 766 soldiers have left Niger since the military ordered their departure, AFP learned at a ceremony at the base attended by Niger’s army chief of staff Maman Sani Kiaou and US General Kenneth Ekman.

     

    “American forces are now going to focus on quitting Airbase 201 in Agadez,” the statement said, insisting that the withdrawal would be completed by September 15 as planned.

    Niger had already ordered the withdrawal of troops from France, the former colonial power and traditional security ally, and has strengthened ties with Russia which has provided instructors and equipment.

    On Saturday, Germany’s defence ministry also said it would end operations at its airbase in Niger by August 31 following the breakdown of talks with military leaders.

    A similar shift has taken place in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also ruled by military leaders and faced with violence from jihadist groups.

  • Russian court sentences U.S. soldier to jail

    Russian court sentences U.S. soldier to jail

    A U.S. soldier detained in Russia in early May has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison by a court in Vladivostok for theft and death threats.

    According to local media reports on Wednesday, the court found that the man had stolen 10,000 rubles (120 U.S. dollars) from his girlfriend and threatened her.

    The defence had demanded an acquittal.

    The court’s sentence fell short of the four years and eight months in prison sought by the prosecution.

    The U.S. soldier had been detained in Pacific port city of Vladivostok.

    According to the U.S. Army, the soldier had completed his service in South Korea on April 10.

    Instead of returning to the mainland United States, he travelled to Vladivostok via China “for personal reasons.”

    The soldier had not sought official permission for his trip from the Department of Defense, the U.S. authorities said.

    He had joined the army in 2008 and had served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Local media reported that the man had wanted to visit a woman in Russia with whom he allegedly had a romantic relationship.

    During an argument, he reportedly grabbed his girlfriend by the throat, which she perceived as life-threatening.

    He also stole money from her, the report said.

    The detention of U.S. citizens in Russia often leads to complicated negotiations between Moscow and Washington over a release or exchange.

    According to the Kremlin, negotiations are ongoing regarding the detained Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich.

    His trial is set to begin on June 26 behind closed doors.

    Since late 2018, former U.S. soldier Paul Whelan has also been held in Russian custody after being convicted of espionage.

  • BRUTALITY! 13-yr-old beaten by soldier -civillian JTF takes own life as family demands justice

    BRUTALITY! 13-yr-old beaten by soldier -civillian JTF takes own life as family demands justice

    The family of Mr and Mrs Saul Hashimu, residents of Ungwan Maigero Community in the Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, are demanding justice over the death of their 13-year-old son, Wisdom, whose death was caused by an alleged brutality by a soldier and members of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in the area.

    The deceased, who until his death, was living with his parents on Lafiya Sarki Street in the same LGA was said to have committed suicide inside their compound, after he was falsely accused of stealing N10,000 from a neighbour and allegedly tortured by a soldier and civilian JTF members.

    The teenager was said to have committed suicide on Friday, June 6, 2024.

    Before his mysterious death, Wisdom, who was writing his Junior Secondary School examination, was on June 1, 2024, severely beaten to a pulp by a soldier and members of the civilian JTF.

    Wisdom was accused of stealing the sum from a 16-year-old neighbor known as Hope, who reportedly invited her boyfriend, one Segun Samson who is a serving soldier at Bodi Camp in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Rather than reporting to the police, the soldier was said to have dragged Wisdom and Hope’s brother — both accused of stealing the money — to the civilian JTF office.

    At the civilian JTF office, Wisdom was said to have been severely beaten to the point where he was unable to walk.

    He returned home after receiving medical attention but the story changed for the worse on Thursday, June 6th, 2024 as Wisdom’s lifeless body was found hanging on a noose at the back of their compound when his parents were not around.

    Parents Seek Justice
    The death of Wisdom has left his parents distraught as his grieving father narrated what happened.

    “On 1st of June, 2024, I was in Zaria when I received information that Wisdom was alleged of stealing my neighbour’s daughter (Miss Hope Danladi)’s N1000,” he said.

    “I was further told that the Civilian JTF took the law into their own hands and beat Wisdom. But, beyond my wildest imagination, the Civilian JTF only beat Wisdom to a point of coma while Hope’s younger brother was spared and returned home unscathed.

    “After interrogation at home, her (Hope’s) younger brother confessed to the crime. When he was searched, N9000 was found in his pocket, and he said he had spent N1000 already.”

    I was also told that Hope called her boyfriend, Segun Samson, who identified himself to the Civilian JTF in Dokaji Street in Narayi as a serving soldier at Bodi Camp in Port-Harcourt after brandishing his ID Card for validation.

    “This was after Hope called Samson, and he bundled Wisdom and Hope’s younger brother to the civilian JTF office, and he prevailed on the Civilian JTF to discipline the boys.

    “My son was severely beaten by the Civilian JTF to the point that he was unable to walk. We took him to the hospital where he received medical attention while we reported the matter to the police station.

    “On Thursday, while I was away, I was told to rush back home, that my son was dead, that he hanged himself with a rope at the back of our compound.

    “Though my son is dead, I can’t question God. He is gone. But I want the authorities to ensure that justice is served, and those that brutalised my son be brought to book. This will serve as a deterrent to others.”

    Police React
    Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command said it was aware of the incident, and has commenced full investigation into it to ensure that justice is served and those behind Wisdom’s death are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly to the law.

  • Impersonation: Nigerian Army hands over dismissed soldier, 3 others to police

    Impersonation: Nigerian Army hands over dismissed soldier, 3 others to police

    The Police Command in Lagos State says the Nigerian Army has handed over  a dismissed soldier and three others to it over alleged impersonation.

    The command’s spokesman , SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the handing over on Sunday.

    Hundeyin said that an  Army Captain (name not mentioned), attached to Dodan Barracks, Obalende ,brought the four suspects (names withheld), to Onikan Police Division on Friday at about 5.01 p.m.

    He said that all the suspects were of no fixed addresses, adding  that one of them was dismissed from the Army in 2016.

    Hundeyin said the suspects were caught  wearing camouflage, T-shirt and face cap of the Nigerian Army.

    “On interrogation, it was discovered that the suspects frequently committed various crimes using military accoutrements and they equally used them to beat check points.

    ” Efforts are on to ascertain how they got the army uniforms. Investigation is ongoing, ” he said.

  • Police nab fake soldier allegedly involved in robbery, extortion in Kaduna

    Police nab fake soldier allegedly involved in robbery, extortion in Kaduna

    Police in Kaduna State have arrested a fake soldier allegedly involved in robbery and extortion.

    Police spokesman in the state, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in a statement he issued on Monday in Kaduna.

    Hassan stated that police arrested the suspect on Saturday following a report lodged by a citizen, detailing a harrowing encounter he had with the suspect and his accomplices, currently at large.

    The complainant had told the police that the suspect, in company of his three accomplices, robbed him of N25,500 and others of their mobile phones on March 16 using a Taser.

    A Taser is a conducted energy device primarily used to incapacitate people. It sends electric shock waves through the body when fired at a target. Most Tasers look like a pistol with the nozzle cut short.

    Hassan stated that a search at the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of incriminating evidence, including a complete set of army camouflage and a Taser.

    He assured that the suspect would be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation.

  • Soldier shoots self to death in Abeokuta

    Soldier shoots self to death in Abeokuta

    A soldier attached to the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Abeokuta, has accidentally shot himself to death.

    The soldier died from the accidental gunshot to his head, spokesman of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, supervising the brigade, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni stated on Wednesday.

    Ayeni stated that upon hearing the accidental gunshot, the deceased’s colleagues rushed to the scene and found him in a pool of his own blood.

    “Investigation has since started to unravel the circumstances and possible remote cause of the unfortunate incident.

    “The remains of the soldier have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta,’’ Ayeni stated.

    He urged members of the public to disregard insinuations making the rounds in the social media that the soldier terminated his life because of non-payment of Ration Cash Allowance.

    “The late soldier was deployed to the Brigade Standby Force on Jan.15, alongside his colleagues and they were adequately fed in line with the Nigerian Army’s standard for troops on duty.

    “The division feels deeply concerned that some mischief makers will employ such sad occurrence to malign the image of the Nigerian Army,’’ Ayeni stressed.

    He added that the division, through the Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, had informed the deceased’s family and also expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy over the unfortunate incident.

    “It is pertinent to reiterate that the division is committed to providing necessary welfare required to boost the morale of troops.

    “Therefore, the division will not under any guise take the welfare of its troops lightly as being wrongly insinuated,’’ Ayeni also stated.

  • Armed robbers shoot soldier to death in Benin heist

    Armed robbers shoot soldier to death in Benin heist

    A soldier was killed in a robbery attack in Benin on Wednesday, the police confirmed on Thursday.

    Spokesman of the police in Edo, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, told newsmen that the robbery occurred at the First Eastern Circular and Akpakpaba Roads intersection in the Edo capital.

    She said the soldier was shot dead by suspected armed robbers who attacked the patrol van conveying the soldier and two of his colleagues.

    The patrol van was escorting another van loaded with “Ghana-Must-Go’’ bags presumably loaded with cash.

    Nwabuzor said investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack was on-going.

    “Edo State Police Command can confirm that a soldier was killed in Benin on Wednesday. A good Nigerian reported the incident at the police station covering that neighbourhood.

    “The hoodlums carted away `Ghana-Must-Go’ bags believed to have been loaded with cash from the van.

    “Since they were in their patrol vehicle, they should be armed. The assailants acted on information, Nwabuzor added.

    According to an eyewitness, the assailants, numbering four, drove in an unmarked Toyota Camry car, against traffic, as they headed toward the army vehicle.

    He said two of the assailants alighted from the vehicle and opened fire on the soldiers.

    “The soldiers jumped out of the vehicle but one of them was hit by bullets and could not escape from the scene.

    “Many people would have died if the soldiers had responded to the hail of bullets shot at them as the area is a busy spot for business activities,’’ the witness said.

  • Soldier shoots bus driver over parking space in Ogun state

    Soldier shoots bus driver over parking space in Ogun state

    Magboro  town in Obafemi Owode Local government of Ogun state was on Saturday afternoon  thrown into pandemonium after  One of the soldiers attached to a truck terminal close to the Bus stop shot a bus driver twice on the back over an argument bothering on parking space.

    It was gathered that the bus driver had parked his bus somewhere close to the truck terminal where the soldiers were guarding when suddenly an argument broke out.

    According to a female eye witness who doesn’t want her name in print, she said that the soldiers shot his two tyres and when the bus  driver fumed, one of them chased him and fired shots at him at close range.

    Another  eye witness account said that the soldiers wanted the driver to part with some money but his refusal angered them, and one of them chased him and shot him twice on his back.

    The victim, soaked in blood, was reportedly taken to a hospital in Ibafo for medical treatment as sympathizers thronged the scene.

    Whilst people gathered round the areas where the soldiers gathered another set of  soldiers came around and ferried away their men from the scene.

    Few minutes after policemen from Warewa division in Ifo Local government arrived on the scene but the soldiers had already left.

    However, they scooped information and obtained videos and photos from those present on the scene.

  • Nigerian Army reacts to killing of soldier by Policeman in Lagos

    Nigerian Army reacts to killing of soldier by Policeman in Lagos

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday reacted to the alleged killing of a Soldier by a Policeman on Wednesday in Lagos State.

    The reaction is contained in a statement signed by Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Deputy Director, Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army.

    Ayeni claimed that the victim (soldier) allegedly confronted the suspect (Policeman) who was not properly dressed and standing very close to a patrol vehicle of Operation MESA, to confirm his identity.

    “This led to an argument and subsequently, the unfortunate incident.

    “The soldier was immediately rushed to the  Lagos State Polytechnic Hospital, Odogunyan, for medical attention, but was declared dead on arrival.

    “The corpse of the soldier has been moved to 174 Battalion Medical Centre in Ikorodu,” the army spokesperson said.

    He said the suspect was arrested and kept in military custody for his safety and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution.

    “However, an angry mob, who witnessed the unfortunate incident, took advantage of this and attacked the Police Station in the community.

    “Troops have been deployed around the vicinity of all police stations in Ikorodu area to prevent breakdown of law and order.

    “The situation is under control as normalcy has returned to the community,” Ayeni said.

    Recall that the angry mob at Ogijo Community, a border town between Ogun and Lagos States, on Wednesday attacked a Police station following the death of the soldier who was allegedly stabbed to death by the Policemen.