A Senior Nigerian Senior Army officer has died from wounds he sustained in an ambush by the Islamist Boko Haram group, the army has confirmed.
Colonel Dahiru Bako was on assignment to clear the terrorists in Damboa, Borno State, on Sunday when his team ran into an ambush mounted by a splinter group of Boko Hara, known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The ambush was said to be “prolonged.”
“Operation LAFIYA DOLE wishes to intimate the general public of the demise of one of our gallant and finest war heroes Col DC Bako, Deputy Director Army Public Relations 7 Division Colonel Ado Isa, said in a statement to journalists.
“It could be recalled that the professional, gallant senior officer who always led from the front and a patriotic Nigerian, led a patrol to clear Boko Haram Terrorists from Sabon Gari-Wajiroko axis near Damboa when his patrol team entered an ambush at about 10 a.m Sunday 20 September 2020. Under his able leadership, the troops cleared the ambush resulting in the killing of scores of terrorists and recovery of weapons and equipment.
“Sadly, however, he was wounded in action and immediately evacuated by the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE to the 7 Division Hospital at Maimalari Cantonment.
“The late senior officer was recuperating well after a successful operation at the hospital, in good spirit and also said his prayers in the early hours of this morning before his sad passing on at the hospital. May Almighty Allah grant his soul eternal rest. Ameen.
“The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai on behalf of himself, gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and indeed well-meaning Nigerians hereby express his heartfelt condolences to his esteemed family,” the statement said.
“We are most grateful for his contributions and sacrifices to the motherland. May God grant eternal rest to the gentle soul of Col DC Bako and the souls of all Nigerian Army officers and soldiers who paid the supreme prize in the defence of our farther land,” the statement added.
He once served as the Brigade Commander, 25 Task Force Brigade based in the Army Super Camp 2 in Damboa local government, about 85 kilometres south-west of Borno state capital Maiduguri.
In March 2019, during a routine redeployment of Nigerian Army officers and unit commanders, the Army headquarter retained Colonel Bako in sector 2 operation Lafiya Dole and subsequently made him the Chief of Staff.
Bako was promoted to a Colonel in December 2014 while serving with the 27 Task Force Brigade before he was appointed as commander.
In September 2012, while a Lieutenant Colonel, Bako was in charge of troops of 233 Battalion deployed to Yobe State, as part of the military buildup to support the joint task force campaign against Boko Haram.
Colonel Bako’s bravery earned him the respect of Nigerian soldiers. He led troops in the frontline including in battles in dreaded Alagarno forest.
