Soldiers & Officers of the Nigerian Army (Nigerian Armed Forces) Killed By Boko Haram During The Battle Against Terrorism

This is a list of Nigerian military officers who lost their lives during the onslaught with Boko Haram. It is hoped that the government will set up National Memorials in their honour and duly compensate their families. The labour of Nigerian heroes should never be in vain.

 Please note that this article was originally Published by Naija Archive Blog

1. LIEUTENANT SHITU KYOM LEO
He was killed in early July 2014. The late Leo was set to marry on the 20th of August, 2014 in Kaduna, his state of origin. Reportedly a former student of ECWA Staff School in Jos, Plateau State, he left the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria when he was a 2nd year student of history to attend the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

LIEUTENANT S K LEO.

LIEUTENANT S K LEO.

SK Leo was due to be married to Angela Gaiya on the 30th of August. His burial was on the 17th July, 2014.

Miss Nkechi Afamu, a friend, wrote: “RIP LEO, My Childhood friend. We all parted ways after kaduna crisis in 2000. I can’t believe you are gone, what happens to Tida and Wyari your lovely sisters. I can’t question God but its hard to say Goodbye. REST ON KY. we will all miss you.”
Others wrote of him:

“Chei!! I actually saw this guy (Lt. Kyom Leo) last year in picture on General Onwuamaegbu’s FB wall. The General was visiting Sandhurst Military Academy and this guy (Lt. Kyom Leo) was one of the Cadets training there. The General even remarked that this guy would one day make a fine officer. What a waste!”

“RIP Gentleman Officer! RIP Lieutenant S Kyom Leo of 58 Regular Course! You died as a Hero! Doing what we have signed for! To serve whenever the clarion calls and whatever the price or odds!”



2. CAPTAIN KENNETH ONUBAH
He was from Ifite-Oraifite in Anambra State. He was killed in an ambush by Boko Haram in May 2014.

The late Captain Onubah.

Onubah was buried with his late colleagues. Credits: SR.

3. LANCE CORPORAL DAVID USMAN

The late Usman and his mother. Photo credits: Punch.

Usman was killed on the 18th of May, 2013 by Boko Haram at the Nigeria-Chad border. On the 8th of June, 2014, his mother, 55-year-old Mrs. Sarai Usman cried out that the Nigerian Federal Government has neglected them. In an interview with Punch, she narrated her experience. The late 
Usman was aged 37 when he was killed and he left two children and a wife as at the time he was killed. The first child was aged three while the second one was six months. His wife was six months pregnant and he never saw his son before Boko Haram killed him.

The late Usman spoke with his mother 48 hours before he was killed and told his mother to warn his younger brother to stay away from Boko Haram strong points. His mother described him as ‘good, humble and loving’. She also said when he was alive, she was never short of money but after his death, his children are not well-fed and are not in school because the wife is a petty trader and the late Usman was their breadwinner.

She cried out to the government, saying that the salary of her son alongside his benefits and gratuity were not paid since his death. She said it was the wish and dream of the late Usman to give good education to his kids who are now fatherless. Usman was buried with 14 others (two officers, 13 soldiers) in July 2013 at the National Military Cemetery, Umaru Musa Yar’adua Way, Abuja. President Goodluck Jonathan was represented at the event by his vice, Namadi Sambo. At the event, the Nigerian President said:

“We are gathered here on a sad note to honour our gallant officers and men who have sacrificed their lives for the peace and progress of our nation. On several occasions and different for a, I have reiterated the commitment of this administration to strengthening and improving the nation’s security capabilities to enable us confront challenges of the 21st century”.

“As a result, this administration is steadfastly involved and implementing policies in the nation to tackle security challenges, especially, the Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency.
“Currently in order to face the threat headlong I declared a state of emergency in three northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe on 14 May 2013. The Chief of Defence Staff was mandated to deploy troops to take all necessary actions within the ambits of their rules of engagement to deal with the impunity of insurgence and terrorism”.

“Today, we are here gathered to lay to bury the remains of two officers and 13 soldiers who gallantly paid the supreme price as a result of this directive. As we mourn and bury them, I hereby reiterate that their sacrifices shall not and will never be in vain”.

“We mourn but we take solace in the fact that we are winning the war.
Members of the armed forces will appreciate that in military operations like this there are bound to be casualties”.

“We are here gathered to pay our last respect to our gallant officers and men, and we shall give them befitting burial. To the family of the deceased gallant officers and soldiers, we assure you that we shall not forsake you in this trying time. We assure you that all benefits due you shall be promptly paid.”

4. MAJOR SAMUEL JEGA KANADY DALAKY


The late Major Dalaky was killed in April 2013 in Yobe State. Popularly known as Major Dalaky amongst his friends and colleagues, he hailed from Gombe State. An old boy of the Nigerian Military School, NMS, Zaria, he was a member of the 50th Regular Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna State. He was survived by two children and his wife.  His family spoke out against any amnesty offer to the Boko Haram terrorists.

5. MAJOR ABDULLAHI T. FAMBIYA
Fambiya, an indigene of Gwoza in Borno State was reputedly one of the very best of the Nigerian Army Special Forces. He reportedly volunteered to join the hunt for Shekau since he was from Gwoza Local Government and he grew up with the knowledge of the Gwoza Hills where Shekau and his lieutenants were hiding. On the 26th of June, 2013, a unit from the Nigerian Army Special Forces launched what was described as a ‘well-coordinated assault’ on the location of Shekau and his ilk following the identification of the area by the Joint Task Force (JTF). Shekau was with his lieutenants during the assault but it was not before long that the army unit ran into some problems and before the smoke could clear, Fambiya and other soldiers had been killed.

Fambiya had been on posting at the 322 Artillery Regiment, Benin, Edo State before he volunteered to lead the Battle of Gwoza.  The death of Fambiya generated some controversy as it was reported that the entire mission was top secret. In the report by the Punch, the following was stated:

The secrecy surrounding the operation made the next of kin to the Major, a pastor, Iliya Joshua, to call on the Federal Government to investigate the cause of the death of his brother.

“We call on the Federal Government to investigate the rumoured cause of the death of the officers since it remains a mystery to our family,” he said, without giving any explanation about what he meant by “rumoured death”.
Iliya later told our correspondent that he made the call to the Federal Government and the military authorities to investigate the deaths because his brother was not supposed to be in Borno.

He said that the late major was supposed to be undergoing training at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kantagora, Niger State.

He said, “I made the call because he was supposed to be at the Army school of artillery. The last time I called him, he said that he was not part of those people that were going to Maiduguri for this operation.

“But later, I was told that he had been killed. He was not supposed to be on posting to that place.”

When our correspondent contacted the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen Chris Olukolade, he said that the mandate of the JTF was to look for all insurgents and not just the leader of the Boko Haram sect.

“We know that we are combing everywhere for every insurgent. The pursuit of the insurgents is continuing. That is the mandate at the moment,” he said.

JULY 2013: At the burial of Fambiya and others at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja on Thursday, 25th July, 2013. A total of 2 majors and 13 soldiers were buried that day. They died during Operation Boyona and United Nations Operation (UNAMID, Darfur, Sudan). The soldiers killed by Boko Haram were in both Yobe and Borno States in the northeastern region of the country.

HEART-WRENCHING: A relative sobs uncontrollably during the burial of Fambiya and others. Image credits: Vanguard.

6. MAJOR ABDULLAHI KANOMA

HERO: Kanoma’s body is lowered into the grave by his colleagues.

7. STAFF SERGEANT KEKU ADEBAYO

8. CORPORAL AHMED USMAN
9. CORPORAL MATTHEW ADE
10. LANCE CORPORAL ADAMU IBRAHIM
11. LANCE CORPORAL SULEIMAN GIMBA
12. LANCE CORPORAL SADUAKI SALISU
13. LANCE CORPORAL OLUSOLA AJANI
14. PRIVATE ZAKARIYA DAUDA
15. PRIVATE DANIEL KANTONA
16. PRIVATE NYA BASSEY
17. PRIVATE BASSEY EMMANUEL
18. PRIVATE ENYENIHI EFFIONG

19. COLONEL KABIRU SALISU


The late Colonel Kabiru was killed on the 7th of April 2014 when his armoured personnel carrier (APC) was attacked by Boko Haram militants. A respected troop commander, his vehicle came under a barrage of artillery fire, burst into flames killing him and others in the vehicle. The death of Colonel Kabiru raised concerns over the safety of the equipment supplied to Nigerian soldiers to combat Boko Haram. About the same time, over 200 wives of Nigerian soldiers of the 103 Battalion in Enugu took to the streets to protest the posting of their husbands to Borno and Yobe states. A friend of the late Colonel Kabiru named Rebsy wrote a tribute for him thus:
“I never believed I was (if ever) going to be writing a tribute to you my friend, at least not so soon. I remember our first meeting in Sokoto when you came for training as an instructor with some group of soldiers and Ataks (as u fondly refer to him). I was asked to vacate the house by my guardian so you could stay in the house. U came in at night so I didn’t get to see your face properly cos it was dark, I was told that you were a Lt. Col then. I had to even cook for you that night, but guess what? When I came in the morning to get the plates, I discovered that u didn’t even touch your food. I was mad! U apologised, gave me the keys so I could get some water and tidy the house.
“I felt sad leaving my comfort zone for corpers lodge. I was surprised to see such a young Lt Col, U only smiled n Said ‘Thanks’. U requested for my pin n I gladly gave you. Days rolled by n we became friends that even got tongues wagging but we didn’t care.
“Finally, Your training came to an end n U left for Jaji but that didn’t deter our friendship. I remember a whole lot of things we did together. Remember that Akpos jokes that got us reeling with laughter like fools n many others? U were such a great father to your kids n a wonderful husband to your wife.
“I was glad when you told me about your promotion to the rank of a Colonel just before your birthday in November. I was proud of you! I told you that and u asked me to pray for you for a good posting’ and said ‘ Becks, u won’t regret knowing me’
“February, we met briefly by the filling station. I gave you a book n then you drove off for your lectures promising we’d see ‘soon’. I was so busy that I postponed my visit to Jaji. Weeks later, you dropped the bombshell; You’ve been posted to Maiduguri. I screamed but you assured me that all will be fine, I promised seeing you before you leave but I didn’t. The pressure was so much that you were asked to leave earlier than scheduled. On your way to Maiduguri from Yola, your were ambushed but nothing happened to you. Two nights ago, I prayed for you and even mentioned your name not knowing you were lying dead in the bush.
“Oh death, why? We sure will miss you. Your wife, family, your kids Kariri and Bubu will surely miss you. Rest on gallant soldier, you didn’t die in vain. You ‘served with pride’. Rest on Col Kabir Salisu. My friend and mentor.”
Another Nigerian Peregrino Brimah also wrote in his honour:
To the list of our recent heroes, departed but not fallen: President Umaru Yar’Adua, Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi, Sheikh Albani Zaria, and the thousands of others whose names we store as the numbers of their day of massacre, adds one more martyr; one more mighty warrior, one more Zephyr who paid the ultimate price and made the ultimate sacrifice that Nigeria may be free from the terror of the system.
Colonel Kabiru Salisu, I do not know you personally, yet I do know you. Not from the moving outpouring of love, the tributes that are written everywhere your name is posted; of your kind nature, the way you catered to the people, how you laughed and made others laugh, the great son of Kaduna you were. No, not from these. Not from the details of the valiant platoon leader you were and how you coordinated responses at Boko Haram while keeping your team members safe. Not also from relating to the travesty of the perhaps compromised quality army Armored Personnel Carrier, APC you drove that fateful day, which Boko Haram was able to set alight. No, not from these.
I know you because of the struggle. You are my brother, because you fight, you fight the tentacles of the monster. I know you and I miss you because you are the Nigerian army. The last remaining figment of morality and order in Nigeria. You did not create the Boko Haram crises. You are not one of the politician sponsors of Boko Haram. You are not one of those who looted Nigeria’s common wealth in past regimes and lives in mansions in Otta or Minna, and the like, to whose credit the poor became poorer and terror became the consequence; no, you are not one of those.
You are not one of these who armed thugs as political terrorists, soon to become Boko Haram and MEND. No, dignified Sir; you are not. It was not you who focused on looting Nigeria’s 20-127 billion ‘missing’ dollars, rather than purchasing drones, modern equipment and MRAP APC’s for the army who were to be engaged cleaning up their political sponsored mess; no, not you Sir. It was not you who refused the army’s desperate call to the leadership for more battalions and better equipment.
You knew the origins of the troubles, you saw the monster… the terror monster had its head in Abuja. You knew that the war against terror emerging in each part of Nigeria was only fighting the tentacles of a monster of our fourth republic, whose home was Abuja, whose legs are armored and bomb proof jeeps and whose wings were unlimited private jets. You boys in the army know these things, not as conspiracies, you understand the reality of things and the root source of the terror you combat.
You, brother Kabiru Salisu knew all these but unlike us the fallen ones, who do not fulfill our pledge to Nigeria; unlike us and the leadership in Abuja who avoid Borno, even avoiding simply talking of it; you went there! You confronted the evil. You fought the evil. While we cower, so-far unable, till now, that is, to revolt and expel the Cabal.
You told your friends it will be OK, but you were not so sure. You knew you may be making the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the Cabal. You prayed the Good Lord have mercy on you. He did. You are no more here with us… us who failed to fight. Us who ran away. Us who fell to the wicked. We fallen 168 million, mostly youth who have allowed Nigeria actually move backward, today with more robbery, death, rituals and disorganization, poverty and lawlessness than any period before; who have allowed a handful of weakling, wicked cabal steal ownership of all the oil wells, of all the resource before it even enters the Nigerian economy and after in every single contract and again from our pockets in goods purchased at exorbitant prices; and yet we failed to lift a finger, but only whined. You have left this prison of millions of fallen cowards who have left the politician maggots who clearly created and sponsored Boko Haram and all other terror menaces, in charge of the nation and political dispensation.
But like late Yar’Adua, Azazi, Albani and those whose names we remember as the numbers of the day of their massacre, you, brother, Colonel Kabiru Salisu, are gone, departed but not fallen. You did not fall.
The Bible says: “A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.”Proverbs 25:26, KJV
Colonel Kabiru Salisu. You are gone but not fallen.
You have made us soldiers today. We will fight that your death does not go in vain. Not a single more innocent civilian and army life needs be sacrificed at the altar of the Cabal. Not anymore shall we fall for the wicked!
Nigeria Must Be Free! Nigeria Will Be Free!
Oct. 1^st, 2014 #Our2ndIndependence

20. LIEUTENANT ODUSHINA OLUWAFEMI

He was killed on Tuesday, the 13th of May, 2014. Boko Haram ambushed the late Oluwafemi with his troops around the Chibok area where they had gone to search for and rescue the abducted Chibok girls. Following his death, the news got to the military camp and reportedly led to a mutiny by some soldiers of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army against the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major-General Abubakar Mohammed who was then redeployed. Lt. Odushina Oluwafemi  was an old student of the Air Force Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos State. He served with the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces in Darfur and later went to Pakistan for an additional training course. In March 2014, he was deployed to Maiduguri where he was killed defending the nation’s integrity.

21. CAPTAIN BENJAMIN TOYIRING SULE
He was killed on the 4th of August, 2014 while in the line of duty during an ambush by Boko Haram in Bama, Borno State. He married his bride in November 2013 and was posted to Borno in May 2014. Sule is survived by parents, siblings and his wife.

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22. CORPORAL DUKE EBOSELE
Ebosele was killed on Sunday, 3rd of August 2014 while fighting Boko Haram terrorists. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and three boys.

Ebosele and colleagues at a United Nations mission.

The late Ebosele with his wife, Mary, now widowed with three kids.

Corporal Duke Ebosele with his sons (aged 7, 4 and 3).

Ebosele with wife and kids.

23. UMAR ABUBAKAR (of the Nigerian Air Force, he was beheaded by Boko Haram in this VIDEO)


24. FLIGHT LIEUTENANT ONYEKA NWAKILE (Nigerian Air Force)
Nwakile died in July 2014 when a Mi-35 helicopter of the Nigerian Air Force crashed in Bama, Borno State. The Nigerian military said the chopper was on a training mission. Nwakile was the only one who died in the crash while Flight Lieutenant NM Halilu, the co-pilot, and Warrant Officer Augustine Nwanonenyi, the aircraft technician, survived. The photos of the late Nwakile are below:

-In July 2014, it was reported that at least 15 Nigerian soldiers were ambushed and killed when 200 troops mobilized to take over the Damboa military base from Boko Haram.
-In August 2014, it was reported that at least 30 soldiers were killed in an ambush by Boko Haram at Gwoza.

25. CAPTAIN MUSA ALIU
He was killed in August 2014. His childhood friend, Olubunmi Yaya wrote on Abiyamo’s page: its a pity “sabotage” in the military….last week i lost a childhood friend in boko haram/military battle…R.I.P captain Musa Aliu


26. WING COMMANDER CHIMDA HEDIMA
He was beheaded by Boko Haram after his aircraft crashed. Read his story HERE


27. OBINNA IZUALA
23-year-old Obinna Izuala was killed in Borno on the 25th of September, 2014 during a shootout with Boko Haram in Konduga. Reportedly, no government official was present at his burial and he was not given a military burial with the full honours. He was a native of Ndiagbo in Enugu State. 


28. SF PETER
He was shot dead on Monday, the 17th of February in Maiduguri by Boko Haram sect. He had just finished from the Nigerian Defence Academy on the 14th of September, 2013. He was buried on Thursday, the 27th February.

29. LIEUTENANT MAYOWA AREAGO
He was killed on the 9th of November, 2014 while he was retreating from a mission to combat Boko Haram. He reportedly graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 2012 and was immediately deployed to the north to fight Boko Haram.


30. CAPTAIN AYO OLORUNTOBA

A native of Ilorin, Kwara State, Oloruntoba was killed in an ambush in Adamawa State in December 2014.

31. CAPTAIN SANI DAURA SALISU
He was killed near Hong, Adamawa State by a suicide bomber in December 2014.


32. MAJOR SOLOMON KABIRU UMARU
He was killed on Wednesday, 17th December, 2014 during a battle with Boko Haram in Adamawa. He had recently been posted to the battlefront and he announced to his friends that he was ready for whatever outcome. 



Known to friends as Oga Eskay, one of his pals named Ibrahim Madu wrote of him: 
“Sir, yours was a life so short in quantity but great in quality. From the AFMS days down to the academy and even in the officer’s corp you stood strong for me. Ife called me and was weeping uncontrollably over the phone to ask if your demise was true, it came to me as a shock. I have not been able to stop the tears from flowing. I can’t sleep, I am waiting to hear that you only sustained injuries and you are in the hospital recovering. My head and heart is heavy. Only God knows why He didn’t allow you to go as ADC to the COAS, as AA to GOC 82 div in Enugu. Now you have been posted to the AHQ to work with the MS but the crises in the north east said no, you won’t resume. You had gone for peace keeping missions outside the country and returned but right within the country you lost it. Sir, your last bbm status says “selfless service” true to your word, you gave your all…you remained a role model to the end…what more can I say sir…what more can I say…what more can I say..for your kids I will not cease to tell them how great a man you were, you stood for us and we will stand for them. Rest peacefully in the bosom of the lord sir….some day we will meet to part no more..thank you also for being there for me and contributing in making me be the man I am today. God bless your soul my mentor, elder brother and friend….Maj SK Umaru”

We miss you Ex-Jam Airforce Military School Jos
He was reportedly an NYSC camp commandant in 2008 at Taraba State Batch A orientation camp (or the 2011 Batch C, Jigawa Temporary Orientation Camp).
Another friend named bjims wrote: 

Major Solomon Kabiru Umaru (Eskay) is a product of both the Air force and the Nigerian Army. He attended the Air force Military School Jos (92 Set) where he became the Junior Regimental Sergeant Major J/RSM (Head boy in Secondary Schools). He was the Parade commander during the POP (97) as he was blessed with a voice which made him exceptional in that aspect. He was academically sound with great leadership Skills. He was also the President of the Christian Fellowship of the Military school in Jos. A post he combined well with his other circular assignments. He is a member of the 50RC of the Nigerian Defence Academy and his leadership skills and academic excellence did not go unnoticed as he was honoured in various activities while in the NDA. His Parade commanding skills made him one of those that were continually called to command parades. As a commissioned officer he has also commanded various Army Parades on National TV and has participated in various peace keeping missions. He had been reposted to AHQ from the war zone but was unable to resume duty before his untimely demise. Short in quantity but lengthy in quality summed his life on earth.He was a member of the Special Forces Unit, a Ranger to the core, a military man with the passion to bring honor to his profession. He was always ready to serve and on his posting to the war front he jokingly said he was not going to war but on an excursion. He is survived by his mum, young wife, two lovely kids and a baby that would never recognize him, every one of us including course mates in the Army and JACM. He was a Soldiers’ soldier and I say that with so much confidence.He was outstanding at the Air-Force Military School, NDA and in the Officers Corp. He was born and bred to be a soldier.
 

BH is not a thing of politics as it kills both North and South.Eskay You played your part.
2 Corinthians 5:8. To be absent in the Body is to be with the Lord.
1st Picture:SFU, 2nd Pict: A perfect gentleman and loving father 3rd Pict: As Junior RSM, AFMS JOS, 4th With Imo state Governor: 

Another friend named simplymee wrote of him: 
He happened to be our course mate. I was with eskay thru Afms and still remember his admission into NDA(ACA as we popularly called it). He was brilliant and a perfect officer as well as a gentleman. He jokingly told me that I had grown taller than Afms days when I saw him after Afms. Was always happy to see him as he was one of the persons that motivated me always(moments with him were priceless). I recall the call I received from him in 2007 about been posted to my state(Bayelsa…JTF) saying ” O boy motiwasi iluyin” and I was so glad feeling that my main man was in town. We travelled often from J Town to Lag back then in Afms.
I had to go to KD from Otukpo were I was serving as a Corp member to actually Anchor(MC) his wedding reception as I was excited that my Bro was getting married.Hmmmmm
I visited him at Bori Camp earlier this year in his office and he was very charming as always. My Eskay….you were more than a friend to me. An inspiration, course mate, pillar. Its very well. You even told me that you were getting set for my wedding when it will take place (2015)….still hold that gist in my mind.
Have not really been myself sha coming to terms that u are not here. Even on our forum u were still “Overall”. God bless your memories Eskay. I greet your wife and kids as indeed would see them later. I salute you knowing we shall see again to part no more.
_____
Nigerian soldiers have also reported to have killed hundreds of Boko Haram suspects (see photo below) and they have been accused of human rights abuse by Amnesty International but the Nigerian military has denied these claims.

A Nigerian soldier stands by the bodies of slain suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

It is hoped that a final and lasting solution will be found to this lingering menace.
On the 28th of January, 2015, Igwe Paulo reported that the following were pictures of Nigerian soldiers killed by Boko Haram and he insisted he got the images from those on the battlefield and that the soldiers were of the 19 Battalion and not Boko Haram fighters as some suggested. He also stated that he has the names of the soldiers but did not release them because of their families. Naijarchives cannot independently verify the authenticity of these images.



PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING IMAGES ARE VERY GRAPHIC INDEED:






























THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
-ABIYAMO