Nigerian army dismisses 4 soldiers over death of NDLEA operative

By Innocent Raphael

The Nigerian Army has dismissed four soldiers over alleged involvement in the death of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operative, Kingsley Chimetalo, in Bida, Niger State.

The soldiers, Sani Munzani (24), Abubakar Auwalu (26), Abubakar Sani (23), and Muazu Hassan (22), were court-martialed and dismissed by the 18 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Bida.

The incident occurred at a checkpoint at Rahmatu Dangana Junction in Bida, where a confrontation reportedly escalated into violence.

The soldiers allegedly engaged NDLEA officers in a physical fight, during which Chimetalo was stabbed in the back with a jackknife, and his rifle taken by the soldiers.

Following the dismissal, the soldiers were handed over to the Niger State Police Command for further prosecution.

SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, detailed the events leading up to the tragedy.

“On March 9, 2024, at approximately 6:20 PM, NDLEA officers were conducting a stop-and-search operation at Ramat Junction in Bida. Two suspected soldiers, not in uniform and on a motorcycle, were intercepted.

“When asked for identification, they could not provide proper credentials, and a search of their bag revealed nothing incriminating,” Abiodun explained.

He continued, “An argument ensued, and after the search, the suspects left, only to return with reinforcements. During the ensuing altercation, NDLEA officer Kingsley Chimetalo was stabbed in the back with a jackknife, and his rifle was taken.

“Chimetalo was transported to FMC Bida, where he succumbed to his injuries. The rifle was later recovered in a nearby bush without its magazine.”

Abiodun noted that one of the dismissed soldiers, Sani Munzani, confessed to stabbing Chimetalo.