By Daniel Edu
Senator Solomon Adeola, who represents Ogun West, has accused soldiers of the Nigerian Army of being responsible for the death of his aide, Adeniyi Sanni. Sanni was reported to have been killed in the early hours of a Saturday.
Senator Adeola, in a statement signed by his media aide, Kayode Odunaro, clarified that his aide was killed by men of the Nigerian military. He alleged that a syndicate of soldiers operating under the newly deployed Commander of 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, Brigadier General Nsikan Edet, were involved in mounting checkpoints and robbing lone occupants of cars.
According to the senator, Sanni was stopped at a checkpoint around the Ojodu-Berger Area of Lagos on his way home to Isheri. He was asked to provide the documents of the car he was driving, which he did through a call to his wife. Afterward, Sanni’s wife called him, and he informed her that soldiers were still checking the vehicle’s documents. However, that was the last communication they had with him. His body, riddled with bullets, was later found at the Toyota Bus Stop area of Oshodi, near a military barrack.
Senator Adeola stated that a similar incident occurred on the night of August 17, 2023, where another Nigerian was killed and his body discovered around Iyana-Ipaja after being taken away by soldiers from a checkpoint. The senator emphasized that this pattern of armed robbery and killing involving soldiers in army uniforms has been established in the area.
He called on the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the killing of his aide for further action and justice. He also noted that the black Toyota Camry of the deceased, his phones, and other valuables are still missing.
The statement raised concerns about the conduct of soldiers at checkpoints and their involvement in criminal activities, prompting calls for investigation, prosecution, and accountability.
