SOLDIER KILLS SELF, FOUR OTHERS IN SHOCK ATTACK

2 Others in Critical Condition

It was an atmosphere of mourning yesterday at the Nigerian Army Brigade, Malam Fatori, Borno State, where a Nigerian Army corporal currently fighting the Boko Haram insurgency reportedly turned his gun at seven of his colleagues and later shot himself. Four of those shot, including the corporal, have been confirmed dead, while the rest are in critical condition.

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, said the shock incident took place at the Army Super Camp 15, located in Malam Fatori, Borno State, in the early hours of Wednesday.

The soldier was reportedly going through depression as a result of family issues; after he received information that someone had been sleeping with his wife while he was away on an operation.

According to a soldier, “Soldiers in this particular location spend almost one year before being given a pass to visit their families. Even with the directive from the Theatre Command that soldiers should be allowed to go on pass every three months, the Battalion Commander has refused to comply with such directives. How do you leave a soldier in the war front for 9-12 months without him seeing his family?

READ ALSO FG NOT COMMITTED TO PROTECTING LIVES- CATHOLIC BISHOPS

“Some soldiers’ children don’t even know their fathers. Many homes have been shattered, broken. The camp now is in great commotion. When will soldiers’ lives and welfare of families be valued?”

According to Col. Sagir Musa, “Efforts are ongoing to contact the families of our gallant colleagues who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. May their gentle souls rest in peace.

CHECK LIVE RATES OF DOLLAR TO NAIRA HERE

“Meanwhile, an investigation into the case has since been instituted to determine the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.”

Sources attributed the action of the Corporal to either depression or poor visibility, as the terrain where the incident occurred was poor in the early hours of the day.