Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, a Nigerian soldier, has spoken out about his arrest, detention, and subsequent dismissal from the Nigerian Army after posting a viral video urging politicians to allow their children to join the military to combat terrorism.
In a new account posted online, Olamilekan said that he was subjected to months of humiliation, harsh treatment, and denial of basic rights following his detention.
Arrest For Viral Video
According to Olamilekan, his nightmare began last year when he made and shared a video imploring ministers, governors, legislators, and local government chairmen to send their sons to war.
He claimed he was detained immediately from his duty station in the North-East, where he had been stationed for several years.
“I was arrested because of the video I made, saying politicians should send their sons into the army to fight terrorists,” he stated, adding that he was handcuffed and treated like a criminal during the operation.
The discharged soldier said that he had endured four years and nine months in a secluded bush area in Maiduguri, without relieve or recognition.
He added that the extended deployment took its toll on him, especially since he witnessed the deaths of several comrades during operations against militants.
Olamilekan reflected on his service and asserted that he had a clean disciplinary record since joining the army in 2018.
“I have never been charged before. I never fought anyone, never stole, and never engaged in misconduct,” he said.
Olamilekan claimed that after being arrested, he was transferred to various prison facilities, including a military guardroom in Maiduguri and an Abuja facility.
He claimed to have spent more than a month in jail in the capital, where he was supposedly handcuffed on both legs and wrists.
“They moved me from Maiduguri to Abuja and back again. I was still locked up as if I had committed a serious crime,” he recounted.
Olamilekan reportedly accused authorities of treating him to deplorable conditions while detained.
He claimed he was badly fed, received only a few meals each day, and was refused phone access or contact with his family and legal representatives.
“I really suffered. The feeding was just twice a day and not enough. I couldn’t talk to anyone because they collected my phone,” he alleged.
The former soldier claimed he was later legally charged with various charges but was not given a fair chance to defend himself.
According to him, his firing was revealed after the accusations were read, which he found unexpected and unfair.
“It shows that in our country, we don’t have freedom of speech. I never expected this,” he lamented.
Olamilekan also stated that he was publicly marched out of the barracks following his dismissal, which he described as painful and humiliating.
He stated that he was transferred to another military division before being removed from the premises as a dismissed soldier.
“It is so sad. After eight years of service, this is how my career ended,” he said.
The fired lance corporal has now appealed to Nigerians and civil society organisations to help him seek justice.
He claimed that his viral message was inspired by concern about the escalating loss of soldiers on the battlefield.
“I don’t have anyone to fight for me, but I believe God will fight for me. I want people to stand for me because this is not right,” he said.
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