A soldier serving under the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barrack, Ohafia, Ohafia local government area of Abia State, has committed suicide. Before his death, the soldier was attached to the 144 Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOB) located at Ngwa High School, Abayi, Osisioma local government area.
The late soldier, a senior non-commissioned Command Sergeant Major (CSM) whose name was given as Vitalis, an indigene of Okpuala in Ngor-Okpuala in Imo State, shot himself in front of the FOB gate.
The reason for the decision to take his life in front of the army camp has not been known at the time of filing the report as there was no suicide note.
Meanwhile, sources within security agents in the State according to the nations newspaper said that only a discreet investigation would unravel what could have prompted him to take his life, adding that any attempt to suggest what could have led to his decision to kill himself could be prejudicial to the outcome of the investigation of the leadership of army in the state.
According to sources, until the death of the soldier, there was no reported case of domestic violence or work related disciplinary action against him by army authorities at the Battalion or 14 Brigade Headquarters respectively.
However, It was gathered that the soldier suddenly disappeared without any trace for the past two weeks and remained incommunicado as several attempts to reach him by colleagues and military authorities failed before he suddenly returned to the army camp and shot himself to the surprise of colleagues.
It was gathered that the deceased would have retired from service in October, leaving his colleagues shocked as to why he chose to take his life.
The Army Public Relations Officer (APRO) Lt. Prince Innocent Omale didn’t pick calls or respond to text message sent to his WhatsApp line as of time of filing the report.
Source : The Nation
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