The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of Col. Samaila Inusa, the army officer kidnapped on Sunday in Kaduna.
According to a statement by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman on Tuesday evening, the army officer’s body was found around 6.00am on Tuesday.
The Army in the statement described the development as “regrettable” and said that preliminary investigations have already begun.
The statement read in part: “The Nigerian army wishes to regrettably inform the public that Colonel Samaila Inusa who was kidnapped on Sunday 27th March 2016, was found dead today at about 6.00pm,” the statement read.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that most likely the late senior officer was killed same day he was kidnapped by his abductors. This is because the body was found already decomposing around Ajyaita village off Eastern Bypass Kaduna, Kaduna State.”
The statement noted that the army had concluded plans to move the body to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, adding that anyone responsible for the colonel’s abduction and death will be severely punished according to the law if caught.
Inusa was reportedly driving with his wife along Kamazo road near NNPC junction, Kaduna around 7.30pm on Sunday when he was kidnapped by unknown gunmen who left his wife behind and took him away.