Abdullahi Bhuwa Usman: Boko Haram terrorists kill newly-wedded Nigerian soldier

A newlywed Nigerian soldier, Abdullahi Bhuwa Usman, has been killed by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

Usman, according to Sahara Reporters, was among the soldiers killed when the insurgents engaged the Nigerian military in a four-hour battle to take control of Dikwa.

The attack happened a few hours after Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai handed over to Major General Ibrahim Attahiru as the Chief of Army Staff.

The gunbattle started at around 6:00 pm and lasted till about 10:00 pm. It claimed many casualties, including Usman.

“I received the news of Usman’s death with deep shock. He just got married on December 27, 2020. I attended the wedding here in Lagos,” a family member of the late soldier told Sahara Reporters.

“Though he wasn’t in attendance physically because he was on duty, his family members and friends were all here and left with the wife to Borno State that same day.

“I still spoke with him last week and told him to take care of his wife; it’s just so sad. He was so jovial and caring.”

The Boko Haram insurgency has caused over 40,000 deaths and displaced millions of individuals mainly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

The terror group wants an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria.

On January 22, 2021, the group ambushed and fired machine guns at a Nigerian army patrol in Borno State, killing seven soldiers and injuring others. Also, an ATV and ammunition were captured by the gunmen.

The attack occurred barely five days after the gunmen activated seven IEDs against a Nigerian army convoy of Armoured Personnel Carriers and other vehicles, escorted by a foot patrol in Gorgi in Borno State.

According to military sources, over 30 soldiers were killed during the ambush.

The gunmen also destroyed three vehicles and an armoured vehicle.