The Nigerian Army’s 82 Division Headquarters says that two men arrested in the robbery of a bullion van in Abakiliki, capital of the South-eastern state of Ebonyi, are no longer serving personnel as they were dismissed from the army.
Corporal Ayeni Samuel and Emeka Harrison were arrested after allegedly being part of the robbery gang that attacked the bullion van. The army now says that the two soldiers were dismissed in 2018 and 2015 respectively.
The army’s spokesperson says that available records show that Mr Ayeni, whose army number is 03NA/53/088 was dismissed in 2018 for desertion and pipeline vandalism at 174 Battalion. He said Mr Ayeni was attached to 174 Battalion from Command Day Secondary School Ikeja for United Nations mission in the year 2013. Mr Ayeni reportedly deserted his unit and was later arrested for pipeline vandalism at Ikorodu, Lagos in 2018.
The army said that in line with the army’s extant rules and regulations, Ayeni was officially tried and discharged as a corporal. The army also added that Corporal Emeka Harrison was tried and dismissed from the 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri in 2015.