Army Chief Orders Probe of Personnel over Death of Hotel Manager, Female in Abia, Enugu

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Army said weekend it launched investigation into the killing of a female in an Army Barracks in Enugu and a hotel manager in Abia State by army personnel.
It said the personnel involved were in detention pending the outcome of the probe.

A statement issued by Director Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts and bring to book anyone found culpable.
“The Nigerian Army (NA) is deeply concerned by the alleged unprofessional conduct of some of its personnel in the tragic death of a hotel manager in Umuahia, Abia State, as reported in some online media.

“In response to this unfortunate incident, the Chief of Army Staff has promptly ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts and bring to book, anyone found culpable”, it said.
A separate statement also responded to a report that “Repented Boko Haram Member Enlisted into Nigerian Army slits Woman’s throat in Enugu Barracks, Hides Corpse.”

It said “much as it is highly regrettable that a young lady lost her life in the hands of a man with whom she was in an amorous relationship, the incident should not be latched on to insinuate a laughable claim that the dastardly act was committed by a repentant Boko Haram recruited into the Nigerian Army.
The statement said the Nigerian Army “has at no point in time, either in the past or present enlisted repentant Boko Haram members to its strength.

“However, considerations were given to Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North-east distinguished themselves morally and patriotically. Such members of the CJTF must have also shown commitment, dedication and loyalty to the service and the nation”.

It said “the sad incident of the gruesome murder of Miss Hauwakulu Tabra by Private Adamu Muhammad occurred on the night of Thursday 11 April 2024 and her corpse was discovered within the barracks on Friday 12 April 2024. Preliminary investigations revealed that the late Hauwakulu Tabra was actually murdered by the said soldier, who is presently in detention for further investigation to unravel the motive behind his actions.

“The Nigerian Army  extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased Miss Hauwakulu Tabra and also  emphatically assert that at no time has the NA enlisted repentant Boko Haram members into its fold as mischievously insinuated.

“The general public should be rest assured that justice will be served, as the NA will not condone any unprofessional conduct or indiscipline within its ranks”.