Army Begins Investigation Into Suicidal Soldier's Shooting Of Colleagues

The Nigerian Army has commenced an investigation into the unfortunate incident which a soldier shot his colleagues and killed himself thereafter.

The incident happened on Sunday evening at the Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Rabbah of Sokoto State. 

"The sad and rare incident occured in the evening of Sunday 5 March 2023 at the FOB, where troops were deployed for Internal Security Operations.

"The circumstances leading to the incident could not be immediately ascertained, as the soldier who killed his colleagues also shot himself immediately, terminating his own life."

This was made known in a statement on Monday by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director Army Public Relations.

According to the statement, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army, who also doubles as the Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut and other senior officers have visited the location.

The commander who was at the location, commiserated with the troops for loosing their colleagues in such an unfortunate situation. 

He further urged them to be their brother's keepers and report any anomaly amongst them to forestall future occurrence. 

Mutkut also encouraged the troops to remain calm and committed to their duties. 

"The authorities of the Nigerian Army are deeply concerned about this unusual and ugly development and have therefore instituted a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

"It is envisaged that the findings of the BOI will help forestall such ugly and bizarre occurrence in the future."