Nigerian Army has denied claims that the soldier in detention for killing a woman in Enugu State is a repentant terrorist recruited into its strength.
A statement by the director of army public relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said the victim Miss Hauwakulu Tabra according to preliminary investigation was murdered by Private Adamu Muhammad.
Reports had emerged on April 13, 2024 that a „repented Boko Haram member enlisted into Nigerian Army slits woman’s throat in Enugu Barracks, hides corpse.”
Nwachukwu 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 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“.
He explained “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.”
He condoled with the family of the deceased Miss Hauwakulu Tabra and stated that „at no time has the Nigerian Army enlisted repentant Boko Haram members into its fold as mischievously insinuated.“