Army dismisses suicide reports of Akwa Ibom officer, begins probe

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of one of its officers, Lieutenant Alphonsus Bazza, dismissing claims that he reportedly committed suicide in Akwa Ibom State.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah, on Tuesday, November 14.

The statement read, “The attention of Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication making the rounds in the media over the unfortunate demise of Lieutenant Alphonsus Alexander Kalthy Bazza.

“The late officer died while deployed on duty at the 2 Brigade Step-Up Headquarters for Exercise STILL WATERS III at Essien Udim Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

“For the records, on November 11, the officer was not seen at the Step-up Headquarters, all efforts to reach him proved abortive. Hence, a search was launched in the general area, and his lifeless body was discovered.

“The Division sympathizes with the deceased officer’s family over his unfortunate demise and wishes to call on the media to refrain from publishing narratives suggestive of complicity in his unfortunate demise.”

The statement added that the Nigerian Army remained a professional organisation that placed a high premium on the welfare of its troops and would not take the demise of any of its personnel in any controversial circumstance for granted.

It read, “While not joining issues with the media houses propagating this misinformation, it is important to state that there are regimental precepts through which such occurrences are handled in the NA.

“The Division wishes to inform the general public that the issue is being thoroughly investigated and the public will be dully informed on the outcome of the investigation.”