The Nigerian Army has dismissed a Lance Corporal for allegedly stealing his colleague’s phone, SaharaReporters has gathered.
According to a source, Lance Corporal Kenewenimo Lokoja (12NA/67/3446) was dismissed last week after being accused of stealing a phone belonging to one of his colleagues during a course sponsored by the army.
The source revealed that Kenewenimo had recently been promoted to the rank of Corporal and was due to be officially decorated just days before his dismissal.
“He was dismissed a day before his decoration as a Corporal for stealing a phone while on course,” the source disclosed.
This incident follows a similar case reported a few months ago by SaharaReporters, where a soldier, Private Yahaya Sani, was accused of stabbing his colleague, Private Aliyu Musa, in Enugu over a missing phone.
Sani, attached to the 74 Supply and Transportation Brigade, 82nd (Airborne and Amphibious) Division of the Nigerian Army, had reportedly accused Musa of stealing his phone. Musa, in turn, had alleged that Sani was the last person with him before his own phone went missing.
A source narrated that the incident occurred while the two soldiers were returning from New Artisan Market in Enugu. Musa reportedly questioned Sani about the missing phone, but Sani denied any involvement.
“It happened that the phone got missing while they were in transit. Musa asked Yahaya about it, but he denied knowledge of the whereabouts of the phone. He insisted that Yahaya was with him at the spot before the sudden disappearance of his phone and started attacking him for stealing his phone,” the source said.
“In retaliation, Yahaya held Musa’s hand, disarmed him, and stabbed him in the head with a dagger. This happened on Monday night.”
The source added that Musa is currently receiving treatment at the 82 Division Military Hospital, while Sani is in custody under investigation at the 82 Division Garrison’s guard room.
