The Nigerian Army (NA) has on Thursday, debunked online media report of the alleged assassination of Col. Sakaba, according to a Daily Post report.
It said the officer died fighting gallantly.
In a statement on Thursday by Onyema Nwachukwu Brigadier General Director Army Public Relations, he said the Army high Command, “was 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.”
According to the statement, “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 an unfounded and baseless claims devoid of any fact.
The statement further said that 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.
“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.”
The statement further explained that, “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 fulfills 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.
