By Philip Nwosu
Authorities of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA) said it has commenced investigation into an alleged killing by some people in military uniform, of a driver identified as Mr Lawal.
The driver was said to have been killed last Thursday by people suspected to be personnel of armed forces.
A statement by the Division’s spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Olabsi Ayeni, said: “Inasmuch as information into the allegation is still scanty at the moment, ‘being a responsible organisation, Headquarters, 81 Division, Nigerian Army considers it appropriate to bring the occurrence to public notice and the steps taken to identify the alleged persons in military uniform, believed to be soldiers, and bring them to justice, if truly they are serving soldiers.”
The statement said the division was carrying out an investigation, in conjunction with the police in Lagos, to unravel the identity of the alleged suspects and the circumstances surrounding the alleged unfortunate incident.
The army promised that at the end of the investigation, if the suspects are identified as serving soldiers, they will be made to face the full wrath of both military and civil laws.
The statement reads in part: “While the matter is under investigation, Headquarters, 81 Division requests the family of the deceased to exercise patience and wait for the outcome of the investigation, as whosoever is found wanting will be made to face disciplinary action. The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for troops’ misconduct or involvement of its personnel in any form of criminality, hence, will not allow this allegation to go unravelled.
“Consequently, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Maj. Gen. MT Usman, commiserates with the family of the victim, while promising that justice would be served accordingly. He assures the family of the deceased that whosoever killed their loved one will not be allowed to go unpunished.”