The Nigerian Army has dismissed claims made by Lance Corporal Itodo David, a wounded soldier, alleging that he was abandoned at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital (NARHK) in Kaduna. The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, addressed the issue in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, expressing concern over the viral video in which the soldier narrated his ordeal. The video suggested that Itodo had been neglected after sustaining injuries during a combat operation.

Maj.-Gen. Nwachukwu clarified that while Itodo did suffer a gunshot wound in 2015, it was successfully treated at the same NARHK, and he was restored to active duty. However, the soldier’s current condition is unrelated to his prior injury. In 2020, Itodo sustained a complete spinal cord injury after being hit by a speeding vehicle while riding his motorcycle in Abia State. He was initially treated at the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri before being transferred to 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital in Enugu, and later to NARHK in Kaduna.

According to Nwachukwu, medical evaluations revealed a complete spinal cord transection, leaving Itodo permanently unable to walk. This diagnosis was confirmed by medical experts both in Nigeria and abroad. Despite the prognosis, the army has made significant efforts to support Itodo, including physiotherapy to improve muscle tone, treatment for pressure sores, and psychological care.

Nwachukwu emphasized that the soldier has not been abandoned but is under conservative management at the hospital. He added that the army empathizes deeply with Itodo and wishes there were more medically feasible options to improve his condition. The army reiterated its commitment to the welfare of its personnel, both active and retired.