Army Deplores Media Report On Deceased Officer In Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Army has frowned at a media report (not LEADERSHIP), suggestive of its complicity in the death of its officer, Lieutenant Alphonsus Alexander Kalthy Bazza.

The late officer died while deployed on duty at the 2 Brigade Step-Up Headquarters for Exercise STILL WATERS III at Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

A statement issued by the Army on Tuesday and signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Major Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, obtained by LEADERSHIP, said the deceased officer had gone missing on Saturday, November 11, 2023 and all efforts to reach him proved abortive until a search was launched in the general area, which led to the discovery of his lifeless body.

The 6 Division sympathised with the deceased officer’s family and thereafter called on the media to refrain from publishing narratives suggestive of complicity in his unfortunate demise.

“The attention of Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a publication making the rounds in the media over the unfortunate demise of Lieutenant Alphonsus Alexander Kalthy Bazza. The late officer died while deployed on duty at the 2 Brigade Step-Up Headquarters for Exercise STILL WATERS III at Essien Udim Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

“For the records, on 11 November 2023, the officer was not seen at the Step-up Headquarters, all efforts to reach him proved abortive. Hence, a search was launched in the general area, and his lifeless body was discovered.

“The Division sympathizes with the deceased officer’s family over his unfortunate demise and wishes to call on the media to refrain from publishing narratives suggestive of complicity in his unfortunate demise. The NA remains a professional organization that places a high premium on the welfare of its troops and would not take the demise of any of its personnel in any controversial circumstance for granted. While not joining issues with the media houses propagating this misinformation, it is important to state that there are regimental precepts through which such occurrences are handled in the NA.

“The Divsion wishes to inform the general public that the issue is being thoroughly investigated and the public will be dully informed on the outcome of the investigation,” Major Danjuma stated.