By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto
The 8 Division Nigerian Army has instituted investigations into the unfortunate incident of a soldier, who killed his colleagues and himself himself at Forward Operations Base (FOB) Rabah, Sokoto State.
The statement signed by Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyeama Nwachukwu and made available to newsmen in Sokoto said the sad and rare incident occured in the evening of Sunday 5 March 2023 at the FOB, where troops were deployed for Internal Security Operations.
The circumstances leading to the incident could not be immediately ascertained, as the soldier who killed his colleagues also shot himself immediately, terminating his own life.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army, who also doubles as the Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji Major General Godwin Mutkut and other senior officers have visited the location, where he commiserated with troops for loosing their colleagues in such an unfortunate situation. He urged them to be their brother’s keepers and report any anomaly observed amongst their colleagues in order to forestall such incidents. He also encouraged them to remain calm and committed in the discharge of their duties.
The authorities of the Nigerian Army are deeply concerned about this unusual and ugly development and have therefore instituted a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is envisaged that the findings of the BOI will help forestall such ugly and bizarre occurrence in the future.