Nigerian Army’s Training and Doctrine Command Denies Allegation of Illegal Detention
The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army has strongly denied allegations of illegal detention of a civilian by its Military Police in the Minna Military Cantonment.
According to a statement released by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for TRADOC, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the command has been unfairly maligned by an online medium that claimed its officers had arrested and detained a civilian on the orders of the commander. The allegations suggested that the civilian was being held over suspicions of attempting to defraud a food vendor.
However, Lt.-Col. Uba revealed that a thorough investigation had been conducted into the matter, revealing a different set of circumstances. "It is essential to set the records straight as to what transpired between Miss Lynda Moses, a food vendor in TRADOC Officers’ Mess, and Deekae Sunday Kiaka, a dismissed Nigerian Air Force personnel," he explained.
The investigation found that Miss Moses had reported a case of theft to the Military Police in September 2024, alleging that N1.1 million had been withdrawn from her First Bank account by a fake Sgt. Deekae Sunday of the Nigerian Air Force Base in Minna. The suspect was arrested on October 6, and further investigation revealed that he had been impersonating a serving sergeant despite being dismissed from the Air Force over a similar fraudulent crime in the past.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting Miss Moses at her business place in TRADOC Officers’ Mess, where he requested to use her mobile phone to play a game. He also pleaded for the matter to be resolved by the Military Police in Minna Military Cantonment, rather than being taken to the Nigeria Police Force.
In addition, the suspect signed an undertaking to refund the stolen money and was asked to provide a surety to perfect the undertaking. He requested his cellphone to call one of his fiancés, Miss Chiwendu Nnadozie, a reporter with the Daily Independent in Niger. Miss Nnadozie was invited to the MP office in the Cantonment and introduced herself as the accused’s fiancée, accepting to stand as a surety for him.
Lt.-Col. Uba pointed out that this development confirmed the accused’s double dealing in terms of marriage, as he had promised to marry two women simultaneously. "These allegations represent a calculated attempt by a felon to deliberately tarnish the good reputation of TRADOC NA and its leadership," he added.
The spokesman expressed disappointment that the media outlet that published the allegations had not verified the claims before publication, accusing them of unprofessional conduct. He assured that the case would be handed over to the police for possible prosecution on completion of the ongoing Military Police investigation.
In conclusion, Lt.-Col. Uba emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline and commitment to achieving the objectives of the command, adding that all personnel of TRADOC should work towards achieving security, peace, and development in Nigeria.
