A Sergeant Major in the Nigeria Army has reportedly taken his own life in Abia State.
The soldier who served at the Ngwa High School FOB of the Nigerian Army reportedly shot himself dead on Tuesday, 18th June, 2024.
According to a report by TheSun, the deceased soldier, who hailed from a community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, reportedly went missing about two weeks before gunmen attack which left about five soldiers at a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction near Aba, Abia State dead.
According to a source close to the military, “the SM suddenly disappeared without anybody knowing his whereabouts and for the past two weeks, he has remained incommunicado as several attempts to reach him by his colleagues or military authorities in the camp and state failed.”
The source disclosed that the SM, billed for retirement from service in October this year, however, suddenly resurfaced in the military base last Saturday.
It was gathered that before anybody could find out from him why he was not seen for two weeks, he reportedly used his gun to shoot himself dead in front of the military base.
“The reason for his decision to take his life has not been known since there was no suicide note he left behind. It is only a discreet investigation that would unravel what could have prompted him to take his life.
“His colleagues said before he killed himself, the soldier had no reported case of domestic violence or any known work related disciplinary action against him by army authorities that could warrant him to take his own life “the source further stated.
The source, however, added that the late soldier who was looking dirty and haggard when he resurfaced was rumoured to have some questions to answer over the killing of the five soldiers in Aba.
“The late soldier would have been moved to the 82 Division Headquarters, Enugu this week for interrogation over the killing of soldiers in Aba last two weeks. And knowing he may not survive it, he decided to take his life.”
