The Nigerian Army has arrested its former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division, Sokoto, Major General Hakeem Otiki for questioning over the N400 million reported to have been stolen by escort soldiers in the division.

Maj. Gen. Otiki is said to be under close watch and would be brought to Abuja after he has been cross-examined by the Directorate of Military Intelligence, the Special Intelligence Bureau and the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police.

Recall that five soldiers, who have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army were confirmed to have stolen the money while escorting the said money from Sokoto to Kaduna State in early July.

Confirming the development, the Army’s spokesman in 8 Division, Lieutenant Audu Arigu said investigation had commenced after the runaway soldiers were identified as Corporal Gabriel Oluwaniyi, Corporal Mohammed Aminu, one Corporal Haruna, Oluji Joshua and Hayatudeen.

“The former GOC is being quizzed. He will be in Sokoto State for now where he is expected to properly hand over to the new GOC and then he will be brought to Abuja for further investigations,” Arigu said. 

Maj. Gen. Otiki had reportedly asked the soldiers to escort the money and deliver it to a Very Important Personality in Kaduna. They were said to have turned in their rifles and abandoned their mobile phones at the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna State before absconding with the money.