Update: Breaking: Army Says Kidnapped Colonel Killed

BEVERLY HILLS, March 29, (THEWILL) –  T he Nigerian Army Tuesday said its abducted officer, Colonel Samaila Inusa has been killed.

The Army had placed a N1m reward for information leading to his rescue.

Inusa, a Senior Officer with the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna was abducted last Saturday in the city by un-identified gunmen.

According to Col. Usman Abdul, Deputy Director, Public Relations, 1 Division, Kaduna, Inusa and his wife were reportedly driving along Kamazo road, near NNPC junction, Kaduna, around 7.30pm when the abductors on their trail overtook them.

“They were in a Mercedes Benz GLK Black colour with registration number Abuja, KUJ 154 TZ. This happened at about 7:30pm on Saturday 26 March 2016,” he said.

“They blocked his car, pulled the officer's wife out of the car and drove off with him in his car, then headed towards Abuja.”

However, on Tuesday Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said: “Colonel Samaila Inusa who was kidnapped on Sunday 27th March 2016, was found dead today at about 6.00pm. Preliminary investigation revealed that most likely the late senior officer was killed same day he was kidnapped by his abductors. This is because the body was found already decomposing around Ajyaita village off Eastern Bypass Kaduna, Kaduna State. Arrangements are in progress to move the body to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. May His soul rest in peace, Amen.

“We wish to state in unmistakable terms that whoever is behind his abduction and murder would be fished out to face the full wrath of the law.”

THEWILL recalls there were sentiments that the abduction might be a revenge mission by the Shiite Islamic sect against the Army over the deadly clash in Zaria last year and as ransom for the release of its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

However, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, through a statement by Ibrahim Musa, the President, Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, denied responsibility of the abduction of a Nigerian Army Colonel.