A serving member of the Nigerian Army, identified as Lance Corporal Chukwu Ebuka, has been accused of carrying out an armed robbery operation in which an unidentified civilian was allegedly dispossessed of ₦4,999,000. The soldier was reportedly apprehended following the incident, which has since generated widespread public concern after a video of his interrogation surfaced online.
According to information gathered, the suspect claimed to be attached to the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Ohafia, Abia State. The disturbing allegations suggest that the soldier, alongside an accomplice, used axes and handcuffs to intimidate and restrain the victim before forcing him to part with the substantial sum of money.
In the now-viral footage, the accused soldier is seen being questioned by a superior officer shortly after his arrest. During the interrogation, two axes and a pair of handcuffs were reportedly recovered from him, items believed to have been used during the operation.
When asked to identify himself, the suspect stated, “Lance Corporal Chukwu Ebuka.” However, observers noted that he appeared visibly confused and uneasy as questioning continued, particularly when asked about his service history and the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime.
The superior officer, expressing visible anger and disappointment, confronted the suspect about the gravity of his actions. “How did you see what you did?” the officer asked sternly, seeking an explanation for the alleged misconduct.
In response, the soldier admitted wrongdoing, stating, “It’s very, very wrong of me.” His admission did little to temper the officer’s outrage, as the senior officer condemned the act in strong terms.
“How can you go and carry someone for nothing?” the officer queried. “Look at the kind of axe you used on your fellow human being. And the ripping of everything he had.”
The suspect was then asked to disclose the amount allegedly taken from the victim. He replied, “Four million nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand.” The specificity of the figure further underscored the seriousness of the accusation.
The interrogation also focused on the alleged use of handcuffs to restrain the victim. Pointing to the recovered handcuffs, the officer rebuked the soldier for misusing military authority and equipment. “This is a handcuff you used on him for doing nothing against you because somebody called you. And you are a serving soldier,” the officer said, suggesting that the incident may have been premeditated and possibly triggered by external influence.
The senior officer lamented the reputational damage such incidents inflict on the Nigerian Army. “It’s unfortunate. You guys are not representing us well. Some of you are not representing us well. I can imagine—that’s why at times they will be insulting us for nothing,” he stated, highlighting the broader implications for the institution’s public image.
He further suggested that the suspect may have abandoned his official duty post to engage in criminal activity. “I can imagine you left your duty post and were gallivanting around. Now look at what you have caused yourself. Look at the level you have gotten yourself to. It’s unfortunate. I just pray that this matter ends well,” he added.
Pressed to characterise his own actions, the accused soldier acknowledged the illegality of his conduct. “My action was an illegal action. It was not right of me. It was an illegal action, sir,” he admitted.
When questioned about whether he acted alone, the suspect disclosed that another soldier was allegedly involved in the operation. “Sir, it’s only me and one soldier,” he said.
Asked to identify his accomplice, he responded hesitantly, “The name of the soldier… I think he said his name is Ifeanyi. He is my senior. He is serving at 13th Brigade.”
The revelation that another serving soldier may have participated in the alleged robbery raises additional concerns about possible collusion and systemic lapses in discipline within certain units.
Further questioning revealed that the suspect allegedly received ₦1.5 million as his share of the proceeds. “1.5 million,” he confirmed when asked how much he personally obtained from the operation.
In a pointed moral challenge, the superior officer asked the suspect how he would feel if his own younger brother were treated in a similar manner—accosted without cause, assaulted with axes, restrained with handcuffs, beaten, and coerced into transferring nearly ₦5 million.
The soldier responded quietly, “It’s unfortunate,” appearing to grasp the gravity of the scenario when framed in personal terms.
The officer then directly asked whether he understood that his actions constituted armed robbery under Nigerian law. “I know, sir,” the suspect replied, acknowledging awareness of the criminal nature of the offence.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not issued an official public statement regarding the incident. However, the emergence of the video has sparked widespread debate and concern among members of the public about discipline, accountability, and ethical conduct within the armed forces.
The case has intensified calls for stricter internal oversight mechanisms and reinforced training on ethics and professionalism for military personnel. Observers argue that incidents involving alleged criminal conduct by uniformed officers not only undermine public trust but also tarnish the reputation of the vast majority of law-abiding soldiers who serve with honour.
If the allegations are substantiated following formal investigation, the accused soldier and any accomplices could face severe disciplinary measures under military law, as well as possible prosecution in civil courts for armed robbery and related offences.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining strict discipline within the ranks of security agencies, particularly at a time when public confidence in law enforcement institutions remains fragile.
