EXTRA: ‘Fatal’ injury to Shekau sparks grammar war among Nigerians
The Nigerian army’s announcement that Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader, was “fatally wounded” in a “spectacular and unprecedented air raid” has sparked a grammar war among Nigerians.
Sani Kukasheka Usman, a colonel and acting director of army public relations, made the claim in a statement he released very early on Tuesday morning.
“In what one could describe as the most unprecedented and spectacular air raid, we have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the Nigerian Air Force, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were fatally wounded,” Usman said.
“Those Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others, while their leader, the so-called ‘Abubakar Shekau’, is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders. Several other terrorists were also wounded.”
The army’s use of the phrase “fatally wounded” left many wondering if Shekau died after the air raid.
The basic contention is whether a fatal injury definitely leads to death or whether it may or may not lead to death.
BREAKING NEWS: NIGERIAN AIR FORCE RAID KILLS BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS COMMANDERS… “ABUBAKAR SHEKAU” FATALLY WOUNDED!
Advertisement— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) August 23, 2016
THey did not say he is dead oh!!!
— Susan (@SusanHenshaw50) August 23, 2016
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I believe EXACT PHRASE was "fatally wounded" which means a whole different thing from the word fatal
— Susan (@SusanHenshaw50) August 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/hakeemny/status/767950369171333120
https://twitter.com/hakeemny/status/767952300610621440
https://twitter.com/hakeemny/status/767952769592463360
@jeffphilips1 @SusanHenshaw50 @HQNigerianArmy. The rot in educational system permeates everything. Affects everything. Simple explanations
Advertisement— IAO (@abiodunosemobor) August 23, 2016
While the argument raged on, some others simply asked the army for pictures on the operation.
https://twitter.com/Tokwonna/status/767922543256887300
fatal = resulting in death. Also says he's killed. They must be sure
— Jay Kenney (@JayTKenney) August 23, 2016
case of one bad apple spoiling a whole basket
— Souljah (@jeffphilips1) August 23, 2016
we need pictures
— Tee D̶̲̥̅̊ot (@SMARTMRTEE) August 23, 2016
@HQNigerianArmy from the reply u r receiving I believe u realise that many don't trust you guys. seeing is believing.
— #IStandWithBuratai (@adilbee) August 23, 2016
We know the army is responsible for what it says, as much as Nigerians are responsible for what they interpret. But we would like to hear from you.
What does fatally wounded mean to you?
“Fatally wounded” means the person sustains life-threatening injuries that will eventually lead to death. It’s a common phrase in the military parlance.
See a narration I got from a site:
If in a combat, two soldiers are injured and taken to the hospital. One lost a leg, but is in no danger of dying. The other was brought into the hospital alive, but with massive head trauma that he will later die of. The former was “wounded” and the latter “fatally wounded.”
The problem is in the context. Assuming the air raid led to an injury which ultimately led to Shekau’s death, then it will be correct to say he was ‘fatally wounded’. This means the word ‘fatal’ can be used only after the death of the wounded person. For now, the Army has not disclosed that Shekau is dead (the statement actually suggests otherwise), so the use of the word ‘fatal’ is not correct.
The Nigerian Army anticipates Shekau’s resurrrection as usual, that is why they said he was “fatally” injured.