- Safiu Kehinde
A former Nigerian soldier, ex-Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, has called for justice following his dismissal by the Army over a viral video demanding recruitment of politicians’ children into the force.
This is coming months after he posted the viral TikTok video where he decried the death of soldiers by ambush attack.
Rotimi had in TikTok video called for the mandatory recruitment of politicians and public office holders’ sons for them to experience what soldiers experienced on a daily basis.
While the video had gained traction, it also caught the attention of the Nigerian Army who effected his arrest and detention before his dismissal.
Confirming his dismissal in a video shared on X on Thursday, Rotimi recounted his ordeal while in detention.
He disclosed how he was initially detained at the Military Police (MP) guardroom before being transferred to Abuja where he detained for over a month.
He was then transferred back to Maiduguri where he was served a four-count charge.
“I’ve been released. I was arrested because of a video I made saying that the Ministers, the Governors, and the Local Government Chairmen, and all the politicians should bring their sons to fight the terrorists.
“From my location, they handcuffed me both legs and hands. It was just as if I steal or I kill.
“They moved me from there, because I was inside bush. I’ve been in the bush for four years and nine months. From there, they moved me to Maiduguri Seven Division’s MP Guardroom.
“From there, they took me to Abuja SIV. I was there more than a month. They brought me back from Abuja to Seven Div.
“They took me back to my location and I was still locked up with handcuffs on my legs and hands as if I stole.
“Then a day they woke me and gave me a paper containing four-count charge. I’m going to be giving details later.” He said.
The ex-soldier disclosed being dismissed after the hearing of his case.
He expressed his disappointment with his dismissal as he faulted the Nigerian Army over alleged infringement of freedom speech.
“They called for my order, and they did the count charge and I was dismissed just because of the video I made.
“I feel like I don’t even expect this that in our country, we don’t even have freedom of speech.” He added