Naval officers accused of assaulting man over debt in Ondo

A middle-aged man, Malo Ojogo, has been allegedly assaulted by men of the Nigerian Navy at Ugbonla Community of Ilaje local government Area of Ondo State over an unpaid debt of N200,000. Mr Ojogo was said to have owed one OlasimboIgbamerun the sum of money and was unable to pay his debt on time. Our […]

A middle-aged man, Malo Ojogo, has been allegedly assaulted by men of the Nigerian Navy at Ugbonla Community of Ilaje local government Area of Ondo State over an unpaid debt of N200,000.

Mr Ojogo was said to have owed one OlasimboIgbamerun the sum of money and was unable to pay his debt on time.

Our reporter gathered that Ojogo was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he’s currently receiving treatment as a result of the injury sustained from the assault.

A legal counsel to the victim, Mr Wale Odunsola, who confirmed the assault case on Tuesday, said the incident has left Mr Ojogo in a distress, requiring his hospitalization at the General Hospital in Igbokoda.

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Odunsola said the military officers had also visited the hospital, where Ojogo is currently recuperating and queried why he reported his ordeal to his legal counsel.

“So, the incident has sparked concerns about the use of violence to resolve financial disputes.

“Many are questioning why the matter wasn’t handled through proper channels, such as reporting it to the police if a crime has been allegedly committed or seeking redress in court.

“The situation highlights the need for peaceful resolution of disputes, even in cases involving financial obligations,” he noted.

“We are raising a petition to Abuja on behalf of ilajes living in the riverine over the manner they are being treated by Naval personnel. We are humans,” he said.

When contacted, the Commanding Officer in charge of the Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Navy in Igbokoda, Navy Captain Aliyu Usman could not be reached for comments as at the time of filling this report.

But a naval officer, who spoke to our reporter on the condition of anonymity, said he was aware of the case of assault, noting that the Navy Base does not condole the act of indiscipline among its personnel.

“You can’t reach them officially nowbecause they have gone on the water for operation. I heard about the case, too. I learnt that a lawyer has threatened to petition us in Abuja. Although I don’t know which of our men was involved in the assault but the Commanding Officer doesn’t condole any act of indiscipline, and he would surely act if the case has been brought to his attention,” he said.