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On March 5, 2023, a tragic incident occurred at the Forward Operating Base in Rabah, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Lance Corporal Nwobodo Chinoso, a soldier stationed at the base, opened fire and killed three of his colleagues before taking his own life. The victims included Lieutenant Sam Oladapo, the Commander of the Forward Operating Base, Sergeant Major Iliyasu Inusa, and Private Attahiru Mohammed.
According to a military source, the incident began with an argument involving only Oladapo. During the argument, Inusa and Mohammed intervened, and Chinoso allegedly shot all three soldiers before turning the gun on himself. The exact cause of the argument is not known, but the military source suggested that post-traumatic stress disorder may have played a role.
The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital's morgue, and a board of inquiry has been set up to investigate the incident. The Nigerian Army has expressed concern about the incident and has sent senior officers, including the General Officer, Commanding 8 Division Nigerian Army and the Commander Joint Task Force, Northwest Operation, to the location.
In a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army expressed deep concern about the incident and said that a board of inquiry had been set up to determine the circumstances surrounding the case. The board is expected to recommend ways to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The statement also noted that the incident was "sad and rare," and that the Nigerian Army was committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.
This incident is not the first of its kind in Nigeria. Less than four months ago, a soldier killed an aid worker and another soldier and injured a UN helicopter co-pilot in Borno State.
