Nigerian Army Refutes Claims of Abandoning LCpl Itodo David
By Lawrence Bilal Audu
The Nigerian Army has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that Lance Corporal Itodo David was abandoned at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital (NARHK) in Kaduna. In a statement issued on January 23, 2025, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, clarified the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s condition and reiterated the Army’s commitment to his care.
According to the statement, LCpl Itodo sustained a complete spinal cord injury on September 7, 2020, following a motorbike accident in Abia State. He was initially treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, before being transferred to the 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Enugu, and subsequently referred to NARHK. Medical evaluations revealed quadriplegia, muscle atrophy, and other complications resulting from the accident, with experts confirming the permanent nature of his inability to walk.
The Army emphasized that LCpl Itodo has received continuous medical attention, including physiotherapy, psychological support, and management of pressure sores. Despite the challenges, the soldier remains under conservative management at NARHK, contrary to claims of neglect.
“The leadership of the Nigerian Army genuinely empathizes with LCpl Itodo and wishes it could do more to restore his mobility, but the medical prognosis remains unchanged,” the statement noted.
The Army called for accurate representation of facts and reaffirmed its dedication to the welfare of injured personnel, both within Nigeria and abroad
