Barely a week after a gallant soldier, Lt. Col Muhammed Abu-Ali was killed by Boko Haram members in Mallam Fatori, Borno state, the sect members yesterday ambushed and killed another Lieutenant Colonel, B.U. Umar, the commanding officer of 114 TF battalion of the Nigerian Army.
Premium Times reports that he was ambushed alongside members of his troop yesterday between Bita and Piridang.
A source who confirmed the development said:
“His vehicle stepped on an improvised explosive device, but he was not hurt. He came out to assess the damage on the vehicle and Boko Haram opened fire and killed him in the process.”
The source added that the soldiers were said to be on their way to Yola, Adamawa State from Bita in Borno State when they were attacked.
Umar, who took over the command of the 114 battalion about three weeks ago, was a member of the 48 Regular Course in the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA.
When contacted, the Army spokesperson, Col S.K Usman, said he was not aware of the death.