By Augustine Ehikioya
Worried by social media report, the Nigerian Army (NA) has debunked the social media allegation insinuating that late Major Udiandeye Jeremiah Udiadenye, committed suicide due to interrogation by a Military Court Martial.
It explained that Udiandeye had an unblemished career in the Nigerian Army and was never court martialed.
The explanation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It reads “The Nigerian Army (NA) has observed an obnoxious insinuation making the rounds on social media, alleging that late Major Udiandeye Jeremiah Udiadenye, terminated his life through suicide, because he was being interrogated or investigated by a military court martial in 1 Division, Kaduna.
“Having lost one of its finest officers, the authorities of the Nigerian Army feel deeply concerned that unscrupulous persons under whatever guise would employ such sad occurrence to malign their own Army.
“Nevertheless, for the sake of posterity, it needs be mentioned that the late senior officer had an unblemished career in the military and never needed to face any disciplinary process.”
The statement added “An appropriate Board of Inquiry has been instituted to ascertain what led to the tragic incident and its report will guide the NA on subsequent actions and measures to take to forestall a recurrence.”
Before his death, Udiadenye was the Commanding Officer of 167 Special Forces Battalion at Giri in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from where he led special operations to various Commands including 1 Division.
“The NA belongs to the Nigerian people and remains obligated to work along established guidelines as a responsible corporate entity. The general public is urged to deny the ignorant piece making the rounds please,” the statement stated.