Soldier ‘beats bus driver to death’ in Ondo

The Nigerian Army says it has commenced investigation into the death of a commercial bus driver, following an altercation with a soldier, at a military checkpoint in Ondo state.

The driver died on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo.

In a statement on Thursday, Njoka Irabor, assistant director of army public relations, 32 artillery brigade, said last Sunday, the late driver was heading to Abuja from Akure when his vehicle developed a fault.

The bus was parked close to a military checkpoint at Akunu in Akoko north-east LGA of Ondo state.

Irabor said when the vehicle screeched to a halt, some of the passengers requested refund of their fares from the driver.

He added that a passenger approached the soldier to help retrieve the fares.

“Consequently, the soldier showed up and displayed very uncouth and unprofessional conduct, resulting in an altercation with the driver, which led to physical contact between the soldier and the driver,” Irabor said.

“The soldier exhibited an act that is contrary to the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct guiding his deployment at the checkpoint.

“Immediately Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade got wind of the incident, they quickly evacuated the driver to a medical facility and took responsibility for the medical expenses and also assigned an officer to be with the driver throughout the period he was been managed at Akoko.

“He was referred to Ondo State Specialist hospital Akure and thereafter referred to Federal Medical Centre Owo, where he sadly passed on on Monday 14 October 2025.

“Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade, has paid a condolence visit to the family members of the deceased and the leadership of NURTW Ondo State and promised to take care of the burial expenses and other welfare matters to ensure that the vacuum of the demise of the breadwinner of the family does not disrupt the academic pursuit of the children.”

Irabor said the army will ensure that the soldier faces the full wrath of the law and the outcome made public.