Aleke Aleke in Abuja
The leadership of the Nigerian Army has promised justice to the family of the deceased commercial driver, who died from injuries sustained during the brutalisation by a soldier on an illegal assignment.
It also stated that the soldier exhibited behaviour contrary to the Rules of Engagement and the Code of Conduct governing his deployment at the checkpoint.
The Headquarters of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, also vowed to expedite the ongoing disciplinary action against the soldier involved in the unfortunate death of the commercial bus driver at Akunu.
The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 32 Artillery Brigade, Major Njoka Irabor, revealed that the incident occurred on Sunday, 13 October 2025, when the late commercial bus driver, who was heading to Abuja from Akure, experienced mechanical issues with his vehicle near the military checkpoint at Akunu in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“Unfortunately, passengers in the vehicle began requesting a refund of their transport fare. Subsequently, a passenger reached out to a soldier deployed at the Akunu checkpoint to help retrieve their money from the driver.
Consequently, the soldier showed up and displayed very uncouth and unprofessional conduct, resulting in an altercation with the driver, which led to physical contact between them. The soldier’s actions were contrary to the Rules of Engagement and the Code of Conduct guiding his deployment at the checkpoint.
Immediately the Headquarters of the 32 Artillery Brigade got wind of the incident, they quickly evacuated the driver to a medical facility, took responsibility for the medical expenses, and assigned an officer to accompany the driver throughout the period he was being treated at Akoko. He was subsequently referred to Ondo State Specialist Hospital in Akure, and thereafter to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, where he sadly passed away on Monday, 14 October 2025.”
Major Irabor said that the Nigerian Army, as a reputable organisation anchored on discipline, expresses its deepest sympathy and reassures its unwavering commitment to the family of the deceased and close associates for the speedy dispensation of disciplinary action against the soldier. The soldier will face the full wrath of the law, and the outcome will be made public.
He stressed that Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade has paid a condolence visit to the family members of the deceased and to the leadership of NURTW Ondo State, promising to take care of the burial expenses and other welfare matters to ensure that the vacuum created by the demise of the breadwinner does not disrupt the academic pursuits of the children.
“We will not shy away from our responsibilities. The liaison officer for the Nigerian Army is in touch with the family members of the deceased as burial plans are ongoing. Additionally, the State Government has commended the efforts of the Brigade in resolving the issue amicably and expressed support to prioritise the welfare of the children of the deceased driver,” Irabor stated.
