A Nigerian soldier has been dismissed from the army for stealing his colleague’s mobile phone just days before he was set to be promoted to the rank of Corporal.
The soldier, Lance Corporal Kenewenimo Lokoja, was dismissed last week after he was caught stealing the phone of one of his colleagues during a military course sponsored by the Nigerian Army.
A source within the Nigerian Army revealed that Lokoja had recently been promoted to the rank of Corporal and was expected to be officially decorated with his new rank before his dismissal.
“He was dismissed a day before his decoration as a Corporal for stealing a phone while on course,” the source said. “He was just a few days away from being formally decorated with his new rank.”
Lokoja’s dismissal highlights the growing issue of misconduct among soldiers in the Nigerian Army, an institution that has faced criticism for failing to address internal discipline effectively.
The source also revealed that the theft occurred while Lokoja was attending a military course, a program typically designed to improve the skills and capabilities of soldiers. However, it appears that Lokoja’s actions overshadowed the course’s intended goals.
The Nigerian Army has not issued a formal statement regarding the dismissal, but the incident has raised questions about the level of discipline within the military.
This is not the first time that a Nigerian soldier has faced serious consequences due to allegations of theft. Just a few months ago, Private Yahaya Sani, who was involved in a violent altercation with a fellow soldier, Private Aliyu Musa, over a missing phone.
Sani, who was attached to the 74 Supply and Transportation Brigade of the Nigerian Army, allegedly stabbed Musa in Enugu after accusing him of stealing his phone.
The incident unfolded when Musa discovered his phone was missing and accused Sani of taking it. According to a source, the two soldiers were in transit from New Artisan Market in Enugu when the phone disappeared.
“Musa asked Yahaya about it, but he denied knowledge of the phone’s whereabouts,” the source explained. “Musa insisted that Yahaya was the only person with him when the phone went missing, and that’s when the altercation started.”
The situation escalated quickly. Musa attacked Sani, accusing him of theft. In retaliation, Sani reportedly disarmed Musa and stabbed him in the head with a dagger.
“Musa is currently receiving treatment in 82 Division Military Hospital (82DMSH), while Yahaya Sani is under custody for further investigation in the 82 Division Garrison’s guard room,” the source added.
The two incidents—Lokoja’s dismissal and the stabbing involving Sani and Musa—have raised concerns about the level of discipline among soldiers in the Nigerian Army.
In both cases, allegations of theft led to violent confrontations, and both soldiers are now facing severe consequences for their actions. While Lokoja lost his job and rank, Sani’s actions have led to a criminal investigation.