Published by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
ABUJA, Nigeria — A dismissed Nigerian Army corporal, Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, has publicly disclosed detailed claims about his arrest, detention, alleged mistreatment by colleagues, and eventual dismissal from military service after a viral social media video he released last year. His account, given in interviews and online appearances, has reignited debates around soldiers’ welfare, military discipline, and free expression within Nigeria’s armed forces.
Olamilekan, who served with the 81 Division Task Force Battalion in Borno State, said his ordeal began in February 2025 when he recorded and shared a video urging Nigeria’s political leaders, including governors, senators, and ministers, to allow their children to serve in the military so they could personally understand the risks, hardships, and sacrifices ordinary soldiers face in frontline operations. His message highlighted his frustration over persistent losses among troops engaged in counter-insurgency operations and worsening conditions for rank-and-file personnel.
According to Olamilekan, no formal warning was given before he was summoned from his duty post in the North-East. He alleges he was ordered to report to a brigade headquarters without explanation and, upon arrival, was disarmed and immediately arrested. He claims he was restrained in handcuffs on both hands and legs and held overnight without being informed of the specific charges against him.
In statements published on social media and given during an appearance on a podcast hosted by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, the dismissed soldier detailed how he was moved between detention facilities—first to a guardroom in a remote location, then another military police facility, and eventually flown to Abuja still in restraints. He said that he had to clarify to fellow passengers on the flight that his handcuffs stemmed from a social media video rather than criminal conduct, in order to allay their concerns.
Olamilekan said some of the conditions in detention were harsh and dehumanising. He described spending nearly a month in custody in handcuffs, during which time he fell ill. He claims medical attention was contingent on his ability to pay, forcing him to purchase his own medicines and injections, alleging that basic care was otherwise withheld. After his initial detention, he said he was transferred back to Maiduguri and held again at a military police guardroom for further weeks.
Most striking in Olamilekan’s account is his allegation that some of the very soldiers he had previously defended in his viral plea video were among those who interrogated, investigated, and maltreated him during his detention. He said that this sense of betrayal deepened the emotional toll of his confinement.
The former corporal’s narrative drew significant attention online, especially under the hashtag #FreeSojaBoi, which trended on social media platforms during the weeks of his detention. After his release in March 2026, Olamilekan publicly thanked supporters for amplifying calls for fairness and asserted that public pressure played a role in securing his freedom.
Olamilekan also exposed broader military welfare issues, saying that soldiers often buy essential uniforms and protective gear, including boots, helmets, and bulletproof vests, out of their own pockets, even when deployed in high-risk areas such as Sambisa Forest. He explained that his last salary range as a lance corporal was approximately 109,000 to 111,000 naira per month after a recent increment, up from roughly 51,000 naira previously, but such earnings made it difficult to afford personal gear alongside basic living costs.
He said uniforms alone could cost around 55,000 naira, with boots regularly priced at about 60,000 naira, leaving soldiers to shoulder these expenses entirely. Olamilekan alleged that protective equipment was mostly provided only during official visits or ceremonies and that most troops deployed to conflict zones routinely operated without adequate gear.
Beyond equipment costs, he described extended deployments well beyond standard rotation timelines. Olamilekan said he had spent nearly five years in Maiduguri, far exceeding the usual two-year tour of duty, a situation he and other soldiers found demoralising and financially straining. Such extended deployments have been cited by military personnel as factors contributing to stress and welfare challenges in the ranks.
In response to these allegations, the Nigerian Army, through its Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anaele, said the service would issue an official statement. The Army explained that Olamilekan’s dismissal followed acts of indiscipline, including violation of the Armed Forces Social Media Policy, which regulates unauthorised media appearances, partisan content, and misuse of military identity. The Army emphasised that personnel conduct is governed by a strict Code of Conduct and that disciplinary actions, including dismissal, were carried out in line with the Armed Forces Act and established procedures.
The Army stressed that operational decisions regarding postings and deployments are guided by strategic requirements and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, discipline, accountability, and troop welfare. It described some of the circulating narratives about maltreatment as misinformation designed to attract sympathy and mislead the public.
Olamilekan’s case has struck a chord with civil society and military commentators, highlighting long-standing concerns about transparency, soldier welfare, and the balance between discipline and free expression within the armed forces. Observers note that while national security institutions require cohesion and order, mechanisms for internal dialogue and protection of serving personnel’s rights—especially when they raise welfare issues—are vital for morale and operational effectiveness.
As the family, supporters, and rights groups continue to call for a comprehensive review of his dismissal and treatment, the Nigerian Army’s forthcoming official response will be closely watched to see whether it addresses the deeper issues raised by Olamilekan’s testimony or focuses solely on his individual conduct.
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