Nigerian Army Denies Allegations Of Soldier Misconduct In Okolowo-Jebba Expressway

Ilorin, Kwara State– Brigadier General OD Williams, leading the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Ilorin, has denied the claims that soldiers stationed in Okolowo shot a truck driver and fled the scene.

Addressing the journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday,  June 11, 2024, General Williams disclosed that the truck driver was stopped at the checkpoint but refused to halt and sped up.

“It was at that point that the soldiers signaled their colleagues. When he saw the soldiers, he tried to maneuver and stepped on the barricade. It was then that the soldiers used a non-kinetic approach on the driver.”

“And immediately they took him to the hospital for treatment. It was a complete lie that the driver was dragged out of his vehicle and shot. No one has ever survived a close-range gunshot.

He noted  that no soldiers were stationed at any checkpoint in the state unless for security purposes. He stated that the enemies of the country are attempting to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Military by falsely claiming that they are extorting money from motorists, as they find it difficult to carry out their nefarious activities.

“We just conducted an operation in which eight kidnapped students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) were rescued. Over the past couple of months, we have been working tirelessly to secure the state and the country, with the invaluable support of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

He said the truck driver only sustained minor injuries while resisting being checked, but he has been treated and has returned to his family.