Speaking to SaharaReporters, Kayode said the incident happened on March 28, 2018 during a training organised by WFP in Maiduguri.
A Nigerian soldier, Lance Corporal Agboola Kayode (11NA/66/10381) has accused the United Nations of abandoning him after an official of the World Food Programme (WFP), M.A. Isa, a retired Major negligently fired and shot him in his left limb.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Kayode said the incident happened on March 28, 2018 during a training organised by WFP in Maiduguri.
He said, “I’m 11NA/66/1031 LCpL Agboola Kayode. I was enlisted into the Nigeria Army on 8th September, 2011 as a member of the 66 regular recruit intake. After my initial training at the Depot NA, I was posted to Nigerian Army Armour Corps Bauchi and was later posted to 212 Battalion Maduguri where I’m serving till date.
“I was deployed at Tango 26 in March 2018 and later nominated to participate in the training exercises organised by World Food Programme (WFP) and to be secured by 212 Battalion in Maimalari Cantonment.
“The exercise was to be carried out with troops drawn out of 212 Battalion alongside staff of WFP and it was meant to stimulate ambush and anti-ambush drill for the benefit of their staff.
“On this fateful day, March 28, 2018, one of a participating staff members, Major M. A. Isa (N/11343)(Rtd), an official of the World Food Programme (WFP) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) came and collected 1 x AK 47 rifle from 03NA/53/3143 Corporal Paschal Duru and was addressing us for the exercise on the safety of our weapons.
“However, the officer negligently fired and shot at my left limb. I was rushed to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital (DMSH) in Maiduguri and later referred to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna (44 NARHK). The UN official visited me four (4) times. He brought me water melon, powdered milk, Milo, gave me the sum of five thousand naira (N5,000.00) and repaired my phone that got damaged by the bullet of the AK 47 rifle.
“After two months, the retired officer sent me N10,000 and that was the last time I heard from him.”
The Ondo-born soldier, who is currently physically challenged, said he has been in and out of different hospitals battling with the medical bills for his treatment for the past two years.
He said neither retired Major M. A. Isa nor the UNWFP has shown concern or compassion towards his predicament.
“Its so disheartening that since the occurrence of the incident, there has never been a time Isa or WFP under the UNDP showed me concern or compassion. I have been in and out of hospital battling with the bills of my medical treatment.
“The life threatening injury I sustained has rendered me physically challenged and has affected my productivity in life. The affected leg is already deformed and has caused me pain, physically, emotionally and financially.
“It was expected that the organisation at whose instance the said Isa negligently fired at my leg would show compassion towards my plight and ensure commensurate palliative to cushion my suffering but they refused to do the needful,” he told SaharaReporters.