The Nigerian Army’s 81 Division has refuted claims that one of its operatives, Boyi ThankGod, attached to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun State, died by suicide, News About Nigeria reports.
Instead, the division attributes ThankGod’s death to negligence, stating that he mishandled his firearms.
ThankGod was reportedly on barracks standby duty at the 35 Brigade headquarters on Monday during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day when he allegedly shot himself in the head, resulting in immediate death.
Initial reports suggested that the soldier took his own life due to depression, low morale, and dissatisfaction with the military system.
A source had indicated that ThankGod showed a loss of interest in his Army duties and complained of corruption within the military.
Friends of the deceased also expressed concerns about low morale among soldiers.
However, in a statement released on Wednesday by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 81 Division, the military dismissed reports circulating on social media platforms.
The statement clarified that ThankGod did not terminate his life due to non-payment of Ration Cash Allowance, as some had speculated.
The Army’s investigation into the incident revealed that ThankGod handled his personal weapon negligently, resulting in a misfire that led to his death.
His colleagues, upon hearing the gunshot, rushed to the scene and found the soldier in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to the head.
The division expressed deep concern over the misinformation circulating on social media and urged the public to avoid misrepresentations of the incident.
The Army said it is committed to providing necessary welfare to boost the morale of its troops, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding ThankGod’s death are ongoing.
The remains of the deceased soldier have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta.
The 81 Division has informed ThankGod’s family and extended heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident.
