By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the killing of a hotel manager by some soldiers in Umuahia, Abia State,
to ascertain the facts and bring to book, anyone found culpable.
Trending online reports noted that some personnel of the Nigerian Army allegedly brutally killed one of the section managers of Hotel Royal Damgrete, Umuahia, Abia State where a Nigerian Air Force cadet reportedly drowned in the swimming pool.
But the Nigerian Army in a statement on Sunday, said, the Nigerian Army (NA), is deeply concerned by the alleged unprofessional conduct of some of its personnel in the tragic death of a hotel manager in Umuahia, Abia State, as reported in some online media.
Signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the High Command of the Nigerian Army, said in response to this unfortunate incident, the Chief of Army Staff has promptly ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts and brought to book, anyone found culpable.
The NA extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased Manager, Mr Achimugu James Etubi and the Nigerian Air Force Officer Cadet Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyemereche and assure the public that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is served.
The Army, Gen. Nwachukwu said, is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline, and therefore any personnel found culpable of wrongdoing will face appropriate legal sanctions.
“Furthermore, the NA reaffirms its unwavering dedication to safeguarding the security of all citizens. We remain steadfast in our mission to promote lasting peace and security throughout Nigeria,” the statement said.
The Spokesperson concluded that the Nigerian Army is resolute in its pursuit of truth and justice, and will keep the public informed after the investigation.
Meanwhile, the trending online report that necessitated the response by the High Command of the Nigerian Army, revealed that following the death of the Air Force cadet, the Nigerian Army led by one Major Inuwa who was reportedly investigating the unfortunate incident ordered soldiers including one of the Cadet officers who came with late Chidiebere to the hotel swimming pool to beat four hotel staff that were invited for interrogation to stupor.
In the process, Etubi died, a reliable source who witnessed the incident told the online news portal.
The medium further quoted another source who disclosed that
the situation that led to the manager’s demise started a few days ago when a cadet officer from the Nigerian Air Force Tarmac Four came into the Hotel Royal Damgrete Umuahia to swim and have fun with his friends and drowned while swimming.
According to the report, “The Nigerian Air Force Tarmac Four cadet was identified as Cadet Chidiebere. The death of the cadet officer drew the attention of the state police and it made them begin investigation. In the process of investigating the death of the cadet officer, four persons were taken by the Nigeria Police Force for investigations, Mr James Etubi inclusive. They were detained for a night and were released on bail. But a few days later, the military officers led by one Maj. Inuwa particularly, was said to have invited four persons including Mr James Etubi for further investigations, and threatened the owner of the hotel Mr. Steve Ihendigbo, to release the workers to the army or have his hotel damaged. The owner of the hotel now went against the police’s instructions to release them to the military just to save his hotel from attack”.
Another source who spoke to the online medium noted that “When Mr. Steve was contacted after the killing of the manager he was scared to give full details for fear of the Nigerian military. The family, wife, and kids of the deceased are calling on Nigerians and relevant agencies to join voice and forces for justice in this inhuman treatment that led to the loss of life of Mr Etubi”.
Nigerians patiently await the outcome of the investigation of the Nigerian Army on this extrajudicial murder.
Recall that the Nigerian Navy (NN), last week, also reacted to the alleged extrajudicial killing of one of its civilian staff, Mr Ifeanyi Richard Onumaegbu.
A trending video on social media demanding justice for the late Onumaegbu alleged that the brutal assault of some naval personnel in collaboration with female civilians led to the death of the civilian staff.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, vowed to punish the personnel involved in the dastard act if found guilty.
The CNS in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore A Adams-Aliu, last Thursday, disclosed that suspected personnel and the civilian lady involved in the alleged crime were identified and are currently under close custody.
