The Nigerian Army said it has never enlisted repentant Boko Haram members to its strength, either in the past or present.
Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said this in a statement on Sunday.
The Army spokesman was reacting to a story published by Sahara Reporters titled, “Repented Boko Haram Member Enlisted into Nigerian Army slits Woman’s throat in Enugu Barracks, Hides Corpse”.
In the story published on Saturday, April 13, the online medium said the lifeless body of the woman wearing hijab was discovered on Friday by the daughter of an army lieutenant around the officers quarters of the 82nd (Airborne and Amphibious) Division.
The report further stated that Private Mohammed Adamu with service number 21NA/80/0365 was identified as the alleged killer of the woman.
Adamu and the deceased which was identified as Hauwa were said to be lovers.
Sahara Reporters quoted two unnamed senior military officers as saying that Adamu is a repented Boko Haram member who after his repentance joined the Civilian Joint Task Force and was later enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 2021.
However, the Army denied the claim.
The Army spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Onyema 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.
“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.”
On the incident, Nwachukwu 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 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.”
He added, “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.”