How Nigerian Army Handled Entitlements Of Late Colonel Sakaba– -Spokesperson

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*’No Forgiveness For Boko Haram Terrorists Who Killed My
Husband, Rendered My Kids Fatherless’
*Says Col. Sakaba Not Assassinated, He Died Fighting Gallantry
*Says claims of Col. Sakaba’s widow false, baseless

The Nigerian Army has denied reports that late Colonel Ibrahim
Sakaba was assassinated for refusing to loot funds meant to
prosecute the Boko Haram war.

Recall that Oluwaseun, the widow of late Sakaba, had accused the
Nigerian Army of killing her husband for refusing to be part of the
plot to loot funds meant to prosecute the Boko Haram war.

She also explained that the terrorists had made many other women
widows and many children fatherless.

The young widow further alleged that the Nigerian Army had yet
to pay the dues of her late husband.

She wrote, “It will never be well with all of you; I should
forgive them for making me a young widow, I should forgive them for
killing my husband, his brother and his mom. I should forgive them
for making me seek shelter in another country. I should forgive
them for making many women widows and kids fatherless.

“I should forgive them after you refused to pay my late
husband’s dues! I should forgive them for all the atrocities done
to my family. You shot my husband dead in his office, you pretended
to be a friendly force just because he refused to be part of your
plots…time for dragging now.”

Her allegation followed the army’s statement that 1,081 Boko
Haram terrorists have surrendered in Bama, Borno State on
Monday.

In a statement on Thursday signed by its spokesman, Onyema
Nwachukwu, the Army denied the claim, stressing that Sakaba was not
assassinated neither was there any plot to loot military funds.

The Army spokesman added that the late soldier was killed during
a military mission with a clear objective.

The statement read: “The Nigerian Army (NA) has been notified of
an article making the rounds online, in which an allegation
credited to Mrs Oluwaseun Sakaba, the widow of late Col Ibrahim
Sakaba alleged that the late senior officer was assassinated for
refusing to loot funds meant for fighting the Boko Haram
Insurgency. The late senior officer’s widow was quoted to have made
several uncomplimentary comments about the institution of the
Nigerian Army (NA), making reference to unfounded and baseless
claims devoid of any fact.

“While the NA is not interested in joining issues with anyone
with respect to the enormous sacrifices made daily by our gallant
troops, it is however expedient to address the weighty allegations
credited to the widow. The NA acknowledges the emotional agony
associated with losing loved ones and that cannot be quantified by
any unit of measure.

“The demise of late Col Ibrahim Sakaba, like those of other
officers and soldiers who paid the supreme price in the war against
terrorism in the North East, is one that is painful to the NA.
These men and women died serving our nation, fighting to restore
peace and stability in the North East.

“This is in tandem with the constitutional mandate of the Armed
Forces of Nigeria. Therefore, it will be totally mischief and an
assault on the psyche of our troops, who are relentlessly fighting,
to begin to insinuate any plot against one of our own. And what is
the plot here? That troops were led by their commander for an
operational engagement is not a plot, as anyone may want to
insinuate. Rather, it was a clear military mission with a clear
objective.

“It is however disheartening that this gallant officer and some
of his men paid the supreme price in the operation and we pray
fervently for the repose of their souls. Col Sakaba was a respected
senior officer who gave his all in the defence of the freedom we
all enjoy today. His demise is a great loss to all of us.
Insinuating anything contrary is a disservice to our nation and the
sacrifices of our troops.

“Concerning the issue of entitlements. Available records reveal
the following incontrovertible facts:
That Master Samuel Ibrahim Sakaba, the son of Mrs Seun Sakaba is
the Next of Kin (NOK) to the late Senior Officer and the only
child.

“All entitlements meant to be paid by the NA have been paid to
the NOK through Mrs Oluwaseun Sakaba. As at the time his
entitlements were processed, Samuel was less than 6years as such,
he was not benefiting from NA school sponsorship. However, now that
he has reached the required age, he has been captured for payment
of school sponsorship which will commence any moment from now. The
NA will continue to sponsor the child’s education up to graduation
from university, as long as he fulfils the requirements outlined in
the rules guiding the scheme.

“The only entitlement owed Mrs Oluwaseun Sakaba is the Group
Life Assurance which is normally paid by the Insurance Company and
which would soon be received along with that of other deceased
personnel.

“The NA takes the welfare of her troops very seriously, as
evident in the various welfare programmes put in place for troops
and their families. The leadership has made the welfare of troops,
one of the cardinal pillars of the COAS’ vision for the NA. This is
visible in the various welfare programmes embarked upon in addition
to those that are statutorily emplaced. There are also
well-established communication channels with families of deceased
personnel.

“The NA under the leadership of the COAS will continue to pursue
the welfare of troops who are working round the clock to ensure the
safety and security of all Nigerians. The NA will not be deterred,
but remain focused in its pursuit of excellence and in ensuring
that all Nigerians enjoy their God-given right to live freely
anywhere in Nigeria.”

TheNigerialawyer recalls that Sakaba was killed after the Boko
Haram invasion of a military base in Borno State on November 18,
2018.

He was a leader at the Nigerian Army 157 Task Force Battalion in
Metele, where Boko Haram terrorists launched a surprise attack
against them at about 6:00 p.m. that Sunday.