The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of recruiting repentant terrorists into its ranks.
The army was reacting to claims in some quarters that one Private Adamu Muhammad, who killed his lover, Hauwakulu Tabra, in Enugu Barracks and hid her corpse, was a repentant Boko Haram terrorist.
Though the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, he denied that Muhammad was a repentant terrorist.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army had never enlisted repentant terrorists into its ranks.
Nwachukwu said, “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.
“The NA has at no point in time, either in the past or present, enlisted repentant Boko Haram members to its strength,”
Onyema added that only members of the Civilian Joint Task Force involved in the fight against terrorism had been enlisted into the Army.
“However, considerations were given to the 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,” he added.
Onyema said preliminary investigations revealed that Tabra was murdered by Muhammad on April 11, adding that he had since been detained.
He said, “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, April 12, 2024.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the late Hauwakulu Tabra was murdered by the said soldier, who is presently in detention for further investigation to unravel the motive behind his actions. “
He, however, condoled with Tabra ‘s family, assuring them that the suspect would be made to face the wrath of the law.
Onyema said, “The Nigerian Army extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased Miss Hauwakulu Tabra and also emphatically asserts that at no time has the NA enlisted repentant Boko Haram members into its fold as mischievously insinuated.
“The general public should rest assured that justice will be served, as the NA will not condone any unprofessional conduct or indiscipline within its ranks.”
Similar accusations arose in August 2021 following a viral video that likened the collapse of the Afghan military to the surrender of Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists in Nigeria.
Reacting then, Onyema stated that the Nigerian Army was not desperate for prospective recruits to stoop so low to engage the services of former terrorists.
