The Nigerian Army has refuted reports that one of its personnel, Boyi Thankgod, who was assigned to the 35 Artillery Brigade in Abeokuta, took his own life.
The incident took place on the day Nigeria observed its Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
In response to claims that Mr. Thankgod’s suicide was motivated by his claimed failure to pay his Ration Cash Allowance (RCA), Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, provided a statement outlining the facts.
“Investigation into the immediate cause of the incident indicates that the deceased soldier reportedly handled his personal weapon negligently and misfired, resulting in his death,” the statement reads.
The statement added: “His (deceased) colleagues who heard the sound of a 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 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”.
