The attention of Abia State government has been drawn to the arrest of a personnel of the Nigerian Army, Staff Sergeant Amoke Simon who was received and promised a medical support by His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti a few days ago.

Information from Military Authorities revealed that Sergeant Amoke was arrested in connection with alleged fraud perpetrated by him some time ago.

1. That Abia State government established that the said personnel once served in Abia and that he actually sustained an injury where he was serving, for which an NGO brought him to Abia State government for medical assistance.
2. Governor Alex Otti’s promise of support to him was purely on compassionate ground, in line with the administration’s altruistic disposition which has seen the government extend similar support to several citizens, including security agents who suffered one misfortune or another while discharging their duties.
   For example, just recently, the government extended financial support to the family of a Naval Personnel who lost her life in an autocrash around the Osisioma Flyover, Aba.

Also, financial support was recently extended to the family of an Immigration officer who was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife in Umuahia.

The government wishes to state as follows:

Just a few days ago, 8 personnel of the Nigerian Army who were involved in an autocrash were discharged from the hospital following the completion of their treatment which included delicate surgeres sponsored by the state government.
All these cases and many others too numerous to list here, were thoroughly investigated before financial support were extended to the affected persons, because the government is not Father Christmas.

3. While it is outside the scope of the State Government to investigate cases of corruption, it’s also important to state that the government requested that due diligence be conducted on Sergent Amoke which may have also trigered the the action of the military which culminated in his arrest shortly after his visit.
4. While the government is in full support of every legiti‌mate action being taken by the Nigerian Army to discipline this erring personnel and ensure that justice is served to the fullest, the government shall continue to offer financial, medical and other humanitarian support to victims of all kinds of misfortune, where and when necessary, notwithstanding the controversies surrounding Sergeant Amoke’s case.

Ferdinand Ekeoma
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Media and Publicity)
March 25, 2026)