Tears for officer killed weeks to his wedding
He was billed to wed the love of his life on August 30, 2014 at 11am “prompt”. The invitation card had been distributed. Venue would be ECWA Gospel Church, Ugwan Sunday, Kaduna South. Reception was to follow “immediately” at Galaxy Multi Purpose Hall, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Express Way, Kaduna. The official colours were “pepper red” and leaf green.
What a pity. Lt. Shitu Kyom Leo will not be getting married to Angela Whorie Giaya again. He’s dead. He didn’t die in a road accident ─ or “after a brief illness”. He died in service to fatherland. Killed by Boko Haram militants. Kyom is one of the over 3000 dead victims of the insurgency this year ─ and one of the estimated hundreds of soldiers felled by the enemies’ bullets.
On July 9, defence headquarters had announced that Nigerian soldiers had repelled Boko Haram in Delwa, Borno State.
The report was short and simple: “Troops on patrol around Delwa and neighbouring communities on Wednesday successfully broke through insurgents’ ambush 35kilometres to Maiduguri as they advanced to dislodge insurgents who were massing up in the area.
“The fierce fire fight that ensued as the troops wadded through the ambush left scores of insurgents dead, while 3 soldiers died in action. 7 soldiers who incurred various degrees of injuries have been evacuated for treatment while the troops have continued with their mission.”
It has now emerged that one of the fallen soldiers was Leo, from Kaduna State, who attended the 58th regular course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
The website of the defence headquarters described him as “deeply religious and courageous”.
It said his “steadfast belief in the country for which he paid the ultimate price will continue to inspire the Nigerian military to protect our territorial integrity and rid Nigeria of all forms of insurgency and aggression”.
He was buried on July 17, and Angela can now only hope to see Leo again “at the feet of the Father where we shall meet to part no more”.
Behold, many have gone. Many are still going as the insurgency worsens.
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