The Nigerian Army (NA) on Sunday said it “has at no point in time, either in the past or present enlisted repentant Boko Haram members to its strength.”
But it acknowledged “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.”
Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement in Abuja that insinuations in a publication that an enlisted repentant Boko Haram member slit the throat of her girlfriend in “Enugu Barracks” and hid her corpse is “mischievous” and does not represent what happened.
General Onyema noted that “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.”
The full statement by the Army read: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a publication by Sahara Reporters on 13 April 2024 tilted, ‘Repented Boko Haram Member Enlisted into Nigerian Army slits Woman’s throat in Enugu Barracks, Hides Corpse.’
“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.
“It is pertinent therefore to clear the air on the allegation as insinuated by Sahara Reporters.
“The NA 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.
“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.
“The Nigerian Army extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased Miss Hauwakulu Tabra
and also emphatically assert that at no time has the NA enlisted repentant Boko Haram members into its fold as mischievously insinuated.
“The general public should be rest assured that justice will be served, as the NA will not condone any unprofessional conduct or indiscipline within its ranks.”