A soldier, Private Adamu Muhammad, has allegedly murdered his lover identified as Hauwakulu Tabra.
Details of the tragic incident, which occurred at one of the barracks in Enugu State, are sketchy at the time of this report.
The soldier was said to have killed the lady on Thursday while her corpse was discovered within the barracks the following day.
Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, has confirmed the incident, saying the suspect had been arrested while investigation was ongoing.
In a statement on Sunday, he expressed regret that the lady lost her life in the hands of a man with whom she was in a relationship.
“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 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,” the statement read.
Nwachukwu also denied the report that the suspect murderer was a member of the Boko Haram sect.
According to an online report, two senior military officers said the “killer” soldier was a Boko Haram member who joined the Civilian Joint Task Force and was later enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 2021.
“The NA 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,” the Army spokesman stated.
