How Nigerian Soldier Killed Officer in Bama
- Experts blame post-traumatic stress disorder
A private soldier of the Nigerian Army serving in 202 Battalion of 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama, Borno State, reportedly went beserk at about 10.30am on the 29th of July 2020 and fired a volley of bullets at an officer (a Subaltern) killing him on the spot.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, the ugly “incident happened when the soldier approached the officer who was standing in front of the Unit’s Headquarters making a phone call”.
Col Musa stated that the soldier has been arrested, and in is in custody undergoing investigation. According to him, “General situation in the unit is calm as the remains of the deceased officer has been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital”.
“Investigation into the case has since been instituted to determine the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident. The family of the deceased has already been contacted.
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However, eye witness told reporters that the troops returned to their base in Bama shortly after an operation against Boko Haram when a soldier named Private Azunna Maduabuchi decided to settle a score with his commander with his rifle. He fired eight rounds at the officer, at close range, killing him on the spot.
The lieutenant Babakaka Shehu Ngorgi graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 2016 as a member of regular course 63 and later commissioned into the Nigerian Army. Ngorgi who is newly wedded, will be buried this morning in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno.
In recent years, the Nigerian Army has experienced multiple incidents of fratricide in units involved with the ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operation against Boko Haram.
In November 2017, the Headquarters of 28 Task Force Brigade, Nigerian Army, instituted a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing of an Officer by a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, deployed on duty in Chibok, Borno State.
Recently In February, A soldier serving at Army Super Camp 15 located at Malam Fatori, Borno State, killed himself after killing four of his colleagues and injured two others.
Similarly, in February, A corporal in the Nigerian Army allegedly killed a Mobile Police officer with an Anti-Aircraft Rifle (AAF), following an altercation at Makara Area of Gwoza Council of Borno State.
Experts believe that these ugly incidents are clear signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which occurs among soldiers exposed to prolonged stressful condition in the battle fields.
