Rita Odafe
Concerns Raised by Family of Slain Nigerian Navy Officer
The relatives of Leading Seaman Solomon Oladimeji, who was tragically shot by a fellow service member during a dispute in Dansadau, Zamfara State in late 2024, have expressed their frustrations about the lack of support from the Nigerian Navy.
The officer’s brother, Solomon Oluwafemi, highlighted that months have passed since the incident, but the Navy has failed to communicate with them about the circumstances of Oladimeji’s death or the accountability for the individual responsible.
Although some of Oladimeji’s personal belongings were returned to his wife, she reported that there has been no payment of his salary since the shooting.
Oluwafemi emphasized that the family has received no updates regarding financial support for his brother’s widow, three children, and elderly mother, who has suffered greatly from the loss.
Reports confirmed that LS Akila shot Oladimeji during an argument while both were serving under Operation Sheto Yanma.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that the incident involved sporadic gunfire from Akila resulting in Oladimeji’s death.
Oluwafemi expressed his disappointment, saying, “We feel cheated. The way the Navy informed us about my brother’s death felt completely unofficial and uncaring. It was a slap in the face, especially since we have no advocates to help us.”
He noted that the family has been distressed since Oladimeji was the main provider and that their mother, already weakened from age, has fainted several times due to the situation.
Oluwafemi drew parallels between this tragedy and their past, recalling that their father, a three-star Superintendent of Police, was also killed in the line of duty in 1994, yet the family received no compensation for that loss either.
He lamented, “After my father’s murder in the line of duty, we were left to cope with the grief alone. Now, my brother is gone, and our family is enduring the same anguish.”
He also criticized the Navy for how they handled the situation, saying the family was only made aware of the true nature of Oladimeji’s death through external sources rather than official Navy channels.
“When they returned his body, they insisted we go to Zamfara for burial, but we refused because he was not killed by insurgents; he was killed by his fellow officer,” he added.
Oluwafemi is frustrated by the lack of details regarding the investigation into his brother’s death and the absence of justice for the family.
“There has been no response about the perpetrator, and the Navy has left us in despair,” he stated. “It seems they believe they can overlook us because we lack powerful connections.”
He emphasized, “There has been no financial support for my mother or brother’s family. My brother supported us, and now with his passing, we face uncertainty.”
Oluwafemi recounted his conversations with his sister-in-law, who remains in the dark regarding any communication from the Navy.
He questioned, “Is this how the Navy operates? No outreach or assistance when tragedies strike?”
Highlighting the tragedy further, he stated, “He should not have lost his life at the hands of a colleague; if insurgents did it, we could accept that as part of his duty.”
Still, there are no answers about the individual behind Oladimeji’s death or any steps taken for accountability.
The family feels this is a recurring nightmare as they experience neglect again from the government following Oladimeji’s untimely death, just as they did after their father’s killing years ago.
Oluwafemi concluded with a plea for public awareness, stating, “My mother feels hopeless, and as a victim of an accident myself, my ability to help is limited. We want everyone to know that the Navy has done nothing for my brother’s death or our family.”
