“They Handcuffed Me Like a Legal” – Nigerian Soldier Dismissed for Urging Politicians’ Sons to Be part of Military Speaks Out

• Dismissed soldier Rotimi Olamilekan has alleged he was detained, mistreated, and ultimately dismissed from the Nigerian Military over a viral video the place he referred to as on politicians to ship their youngsters to serve within the navy.
• He recounted being moved throughout a number of detention amenities, together with Maiduguri and Abuja, the place he claimed he was held for weeks below troublesome circumstances.

A dismissed Nigerian soldier, Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, has spoken out following his elimination from the Nigerian Military, alleging months of detention, harsh therapy, and denial of fundamental rights after a viral video he made criticising political leaders.

In a video seen on-line, Olamilekan stated his ordeal started after he referred to as on politicians to permit their youngsters to serve within the navy amid ongoing insurgency.

“I used to be arrested and dismissed as a Nigerian soldier due to a video I made final 12 months, the place I referred to as on politicians’ youngsters to affix the navy,” he stated.

In accordance with him, he was arrested from his obligation put up within the North-East, the place he had reportedly served for over 4 years in a distant location.

“I used to be arrested due to a video I made, saying that ministers, governors, and native authorities chairmen, all politicians, ought to ship their sons into the military to combat terrorists,” he added.

“From my location, they handcuffed my legs and fingers. It was as if I had stolen or killed.”

He recounted being moved throughout a number of detention amenities, together with Maiduguri and Abuja, the place he claimed he was held for weeks below troublesome circumstances.

“I actually suffered. I suffered loads in Abuja, with handcuffs on my legs and fingers for over a month,” he stated.

“Even the feeding was simply twice a day, small parts, not even as much as N500 price of meals. No calls. I couldn’t discuss to my household or anybody. They collected my cellphone.”

Olamilekan stated he was later offered with expenses and dismissed from the Military with out being given a good probability to defend himself.

“They referred to as out my order and browse the fees, the primary, second, third, and fourth, and I used to be dismissed… simply due to the video I made,” he said.

He described the expertise as proof of a scarcity of free speech, expressing shock on the final result.

“I didn’t count on this. It exhibits that in our nation, we don’t have freedom of speech, and we’re not free to say the reality,” he lamented.

The dismissed soldier additionally stated he was publicly marched out of the barracks after his dismissal.

“It was after they dismissed me that they marched me out… it’s so unhappy,” he stated.

Interesting to Nigerians for assist, he added:
“I don’t have anybody to combat for me, however I do know God will combat for me as a result of this isn’t proper… Please, I need individuals to proceed standing for me and assist me combat for justice.”

Reflecting on his years in service, Olamilekan maintained that he had a clear document previous to the incident.

“I spent eight years in service… I’ve by no means fought anybody, by no means stolen, by no means killed… however as a result of I spoke the reality on social media… I used to be dismissed,” he stated.

His earlier viral video had proven him emotionally lamenting the lack of fellow troopers and calling on political leaders to indicate dedication.

“The way in which I dey lose my colleagues… e dey comot tears for my eye day-to-day,” he stated in Pidgin.

“Let every one among them convey their son to affix the Nigerian Military.”