The victim, who was identified as Lawal was stopped by the people while driving a brand-new 2022 Toyota Corolla, which he was going to deliver to its owner in Abuja.
The said soldiers allegedly told Lawal they were taken him to their barracks only to move him to Iyana Ipaja around the exit of Lagos, where they shot him dead and threw his body into a bush.
It was the friend who reported the incident to the police and the suspects were trailed to the 9th Brigade, Maryland, where they were positively identified on Saturday.
Reacting to the incident Sunday afternoon, the spokesman for the 81 Division, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni said the army was investigating the murder said to have been committed by some persons in military uniform on August 17.
Ayeni said: “In as much as information into the allegation is still scanty at the moment, being a responsible organisation, Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army considers it appropriate to bring the occurrence to public notice and the steps taken to identify the alleged persons in military uniform, believed to be soldiers and bring them to justice if truly they are serving soldiers.
“The Division is currently carrying out an investigation in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Lagos State Command to unravel the identity of the alleged suspects and the circumstances surrounding the alleged unfortunate incident.
At the end of the investigation, if the suspects are identified as serving soldiers, they will be made to face the full wrath of both military and civil laws.
“While the matter is under investigation, Headquarters 81 Division requests the family of the deceased to exercise patience and wait for the outcome of the investigation as whosoever is found wanting will be made to face disciplinary action.
“The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for troops’ misconduct or involvement of its personnel in any form of criminality, hence, will not allow this allegation to go unraveled.
“Consequently, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Maj Gen MT Usman, commiserates with the family of the victim while promising that justice would be served accordingly.”