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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Nigerian Navy has dismissed viral allegations linking the death of a female naval personnel in Lagos to alleged punishment by a superior officer, insisting that the claims circulating online are “false and misleading.”
The controversy erupted after social media posts alleged that the officer, identified as WO Yusuf, collapsed and later died after allegedly being subjected to punishment under the scorching sun at the Nigerian Navy sick bay in Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos.
But in an official reaction on Tuesday, Navy spokesman Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said the service was aware of the public outrage generated by the reports and urged Nigerians to avoid speculation pending the release of verified facts surrounding the incident.
“The Nigerian Navy has noted with concern the circulation of false and misleading claims regarding the unfortunate death of a female rating allegedly linked to the actions of a female lieutenant commander,” Folorunsho said.
According to him, “the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident are currently being handled with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity.”
He added that “the established facts surrounding the incident and the underlying cause of death will be communicated to the family, while remaining sensitive to the confidential nature of medical matters.”
The Navy also maintained that the viral narrative linking the officer’s death to disciplinary action by a superior officer was inaccurate.
The incident has continued to stir reactions online, with many Nigerians demanding transparency and an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the female personnel’s death.
At the moment, there is no independent confirmation that the officer died as a result of punishment, while no public autopsy or medical report has been released.
The Nigerian Navy has, however, acknowledged that a female personnel died, while disputing claims that her death was connected to any disciplinary exercise.