A Port Harcourt Man, Michael Jojor from Ahoada East LGA Rivers State, shares his maltreatment as a soldier in the Nigerian Army
I am writing and I want the world to know the level of maltreatment I went through in the hands of Maj Gen AA Adekeye as a soldier. I was enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 25th June 2016 as a member of 75RRI.
After my initial training at Depot NA, I was posted to Nigerian Army Armour School, Bauchi where I served till 22nd January 2025. I decided to leave the Army due to ill-treatment from my Comdt, Maj Gen AA Adekeye – now former Comdt of Nigerian Army Armour School, Bauchi.
In 2022, I was working with Lt Col AU Nagogo at NAAS when he was posted there as Infantry Rep. He was later posted to 6 Div Gar around July 2022 as CO Admin. He pleaded with the then Comdt, Maj Gen JO Ochai, and his Deputy, Brig Gen T Isa, that I should be temporarily attached to him. They agreed, and I was officially attached with a signal.
I was in Port Harcourt when Maj Gen AA Adekeye was posted to NAAS as Comdt. Around April 2023, Sgt Jimoh (the RSM clerk at NAAS Bauchi) called me saying Maj Gen AA Adekeye ordered me to return to Bauchi. I informed my boss, Lt Col AU Nagogo, who said he would call the Comdt to explain and told me not to worry. A week passed without follow-up, so I assumed it was resolved.
In June 2023, Maj Gen AA Adekeye instructed that I be booked for AWOL. Once that reached 6 Div Gar, I was officially released with a signal and pass to return to Bauchi. On arrival, Maj Gen AA Adekeye locked me in the guardroom for two weeks. He later handed me over to Military Police for investigation.
I presented all my evidence to the Military Police, who also contacted Brig Gen T Isa to confirm my release – which he did. They concluded I did nothing wrong. I was under an official unit with correspondence. I didn't abandon the Army or return to my village. I even submitted my release letter and valid pass from 6 Div Gar Port Harcourt.
Still, Maj Gen Adekeye maltreated and humiliated me. After the investigation cleared me, he instructed Lt Col IA Musa (211 bn CO) to demote me from Lance Corporal to Private, gave me 14 days IHL, and deployed me to the frontline.
Eventually, the matter reached the CDS. I was taken back to Military Police so they could submit their final report. I was told to be patient and that my rank would be restored. That period was the hardest of my life as a soldier, but I waited in hope.
Over a year passed. I sent messages to every senior officer I could reach, but nothing happened. My heart broke watching my coursemates and juniors wear ranks while I remained a Private. I cried. I lost morale.
I should be due for Corporal by next year, but here I was — still a Private. Watching my juniors become my seniors, despite my innocence, was too painful to bear. I feared for my mental health. So, I left the Army.
Since then, I’ve messaged the CDS repeatedly, but he no longer responds. I know they might deny this publicly, but I leave it in God’s hands. I’m not afraid anymore. Speaking up for my rights is not a crime.
It’s painful that after all my years of loyal service, I left with nothing. 😭
Many other soldiers are silently enduring worse. I hope my story gives them courage to speak up.
Best regards,
🙏💯
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