Army Replies Late Colonel Widow Who Tackled Them For Forgiving Surrendered Boko Haram

Army Replies Late Colonel Widow Who Tackled Them For Forgiving Surrendered Boko Haram

Onyxnewsng quotes The Punch reporting, the Nigerian Army has denied a claim that late Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba was killed for refusing to loot funds meant for fighting insurgency.

The Army said Sakaba died while fighting for the nation in the North East.

Onyxnewsng recall that Col. Sakaba’s widow, Oluwaseun, had made the allegation in one of her recent posts on Instagram.

READ: Nigerian Army Officer’s Widow Blasts Nigerian Army For Forgiving Surrendered Boko Haram

However, in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday, the Army described the comment as unfounded and baseless.

Onyema also said all entitlements meant to be paid by the Army have been paid to the next-of-kin through the widow.

The statement was titled, ‘Colonel Sakaba died fighting gallantly, not assassinated.’

It read, “The Nigerian Army has been notified of an article making the rounds online, in which an allegation credited to Mrs Oluwaseun Sakaba, the widow of the late Sakaba alleging that the late senior officer was assassinated for refusing to loot funds meant for fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.

“The late senior officer’s widow was quoted to have made several uncomplimentary comments about the institution of the Nigerian Army, making reference to an unfounded and baseless claim devoid of any fact.

“The Nigerian Army acknowledges the emotional agony associated with losing loved ones and that cannot be quantified by any unit of measure.

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“The demise of late Col Ibrahim Sakaba, like those of other officers and soldiers who paid the supreme price in the war against terrorism in the North East, is one that is painful to the NA. These men and women died serving our nation, fighting to restore peace and stability in the North East.

“It is however disheartening that this gallant officer and some of his men paid the supreme price in the operation and we pray fervently for the repose of their souls. Col Sakaba was a respected senior officer who gave his all in the defence of the freedom we all enjoy today. His demise is a great loss to all of us.

“Concerning the issue of entitlements, available records reveal the following incontrovertible facts:
“That Master Samuel Ibrahim Sakaba, the son of Mrs Seun Sakaba is the Next of Kin to the late Senior Officer and the only child.
“All entitlements meant to be paid by the NA have been paid to the NOK through Mrs Oluwaseun Sakaba.

“As at the time his entitlements were processed, Samuel was less than 6years as such, he was not benefiting from NA school sponsorship. However now that he has reached the required age, he has been captured for payment of school sponsorship which will commence any moment from now. The NA will continue to sponsor the child’s education up to graduation from university, as long as he fulfils the requirements outlined in the rules guiding the scheme.

“The only entitlement owed Mrs Oluwaseun Sakaba is the Group Life Assurance which is normally paid by the Insurance Company and which would soon be received along with that of other deceased personnel,” the statement read.