Nigerian Soldier Under Investigation for Beating Driver to Death at Checkpoint

• The Nigerian Army has confirmed an investigation into a soldier accused of assaulting a commercial bus driver to death near a checkpoint in Ondo State.

The Nigerian Army has pledged to discipline a soldier accused of assaulting a commercial bus driver, leading to his death in Ondo Sta

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Major Njoka Irabor, said the incident occurred on Sunday, October 13, 2025, near a military checkpoint at Akunnu, in Akoko North East Local Government Area of the state.

According to Irabor, the driver, who was travelling from Akure to Abuja, had a mechanical fault close to the checkpoint when passengers demanded a refund of their fares. One of them reportedly called a soldier at the checkpoint to intervene.

“The soldier showed up and displayed very uncouth and unprofessional conduct, resulting in an altercation with the driver, which led to physical contact between the soldier and the driver.

The soldier exhibited an act that is contrary to the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct guiding his deployment,” Irabor said.

He explained that the brigade immediately evacuated the injured driver to a hospital and covered all medical expenses, but the victim later died on Monday, October 14, at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

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Irabor added that the Army had paid condolence visits to the victim’s family and the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo State.

“The Nigerian Army expresses its deepest sympathy and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring accountability. The soldier will be disciplined accordingly,” the statement added.

The Army also pledged to handle the burial arrangements and provide educational support for the deceased driver’s children, stressing that it would not tolerate any act of indiscipline among its ranks.