Former soldier claims he was held in custody for a month after suggesting lawmakers' children should serve in the army.

Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, a Nigerian soldier also known as Soja Boi, has come forward to share his experiences of a traumatic and harsh ordeal following his dismissal from the army.

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Olamilekan gained widespread attention in 2025 for a viral video in which he urged politicians to send their own children to the battlefield to experience the dangers faced by soldiers.

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In the video, Olamilekan stated that his primary advice to the government would be to improve the welfare of soldiers, emphasizing that a soldier's financial situation should be stable enough to enable them to assist those in need, but this is currently not possible.

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He revealed that his last salary as a lance corporal was #109,000, and in addition to this, he received N20,000 for another purpose, but noted that a soldier's salary is equivalent to less than a hundred dollars.

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Olamilekan also highlighted that while soldiers are provided with accommodation, many are forced to sleep in barracks as they do not own homes, further emphasizing the financial struggles they face.

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The financial aspect of his role was the primary reason for his departure, as he has significant family responsibilities, including two children attending private schools, a younger sister in school, and a mother to care for.

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Olamilekan explained that he had to find additional earnings to cope with the demands of providing for his family's basic needs, as relying solely on his salary was not sufficient.

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He concluded by stating that there is no freedom in such a situation, as one is still required to work, but the pay is low, making it a significant challenge to make ends meet.