Ebonyi Bullion Van Robbery: Suspects Are Dismissed Soldiers – Army

The Nigerian Army has released a statement regarding the suspects who were arrested by the Police over their alleged involvement in the Ebonyi Bullion Van robbery.

According to the statement, the suspects who were reported to be serving soldiers had been dismissed from the force over various offenses.

See full statement

RE: POLICE NAB SOLDIERS OTHERS FOR BULLION VAN ROBBERY

The attention of Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to an online publication on the unfortunate Bullion Van Robbery incident at Abakaliki Ebonyi State on 29 July 2020 which led to the arrest of two suspected dismissed soldiers and other gangsters involved in the act.

It is necessary to inform the public that the so-called soldiers in the report are not personnel of the Nigerian Army since 2015 and 2018; when both Corporal Ayeni Samuel and Corporal Emeka Harrison were dismissed.

The available record shows that Dismissed 03NA/53/088 Corporal Ayeni Samuel was dismissed in 2018 for desertion and pipeline vandalism at 174 Battalion.

The dismissed soldier was attached to 174 Battalion from Command Day Secondary School Ikeja for the United Nations mission in the year 2013. Dismissed Corporal Ayeni deserted the Unit and was later arrested for pipeline vandalism at Ikorodu in 2018.

In line with Nigerian Army extant rules and regulations, Ayeni was officially tried and awarded dismissed regiment as a Corporal and not Sergeant; as claimed in the story.

Also dismissed Corporal Emeka Harrison was tried and dismissed regiment from 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri since 2015.

Colonel Aliyu Yusuf

Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division