The Nigerian Army has denied a report that a soldier serving in Enugu, Private Adamu Muhammad, who allegedly killed a woman, Hauwakulu Tabra, was a repentant Boko Haram member who enlisted into the military.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the military never at any time recruited repentant Boko Haram fighters into its fold. He, however, said some members of Civilian JTF, which is a vigilante force used in countering the Boko Haram uprising, were once enlisted into the army.
While the statement did not state whether the soldier who committed the act was a former Civilian JTF vigilante who was drafted into the Army, it, however, assured that investigation into the tragedy was ongoing.
General Nwachukwu was reacting to a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the soldier was a repentant Boko Haram member who got into the army through a mass recruitment of terrorists believed to have repented.
The full statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a publication by Sahara Reporters on 13 April 2024 tilted, “Repented Boko Haram Member Enlisted into Nigerian Army slits Woman’s throat in Enugu Barracks, Hides Corpse.”
“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.
“It is pertinent therefore to clear the air on the allegation as insinuated by Sahara Reporters.
“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 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.”
