The Nigerian Army has said that it is thoroughly investigating the reported suicide by its officer, Lieutenant Alphonsus Alexander Kalthy Bazza, in Essien Udim Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
Viral reports had claimed that the lifeless body of the officer was found hung on a tree with a mosquito net on Saturday night.
But in a statement on Tuesday by its Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Major Danjuma Jonah, the Army said the issue was being thoroughly investigated and the public would be fully informed on the outcome of the investigation.
“The late officer died while deployed 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 11 November 2023, 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 NA remains a professional organization that places 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. 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 military added.
