Colleagues, Friends Mourn Ex-Military Spokesperson, Gen Bernard Onyeuko
Just hours after burying 22 soldiers that were killed in an ambush by bandits in Niger state, the Nigerian Military has again been thrown into another round of mourning with colleagues and friends mourning the sudden passage of a former Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko (rtd).
The sad news of Onyeku’s death in Abuja, the nation’s capital over the weekend, comes just about six days after the Army lost an officer, Brigadier General Ibrahim Ahmadu, who slumped and died while taking part in the Service’s second Annual Physical Training Test 2023 in Abuja.
Competent sources confirmed that General Onyeuko died in Abuja on Saturday morning, after complaining of feeling uncomfortable and was rushed to a private hospital, where he later died.
Though the cause of his death was still unknown as of press time, reports say the Army General died Saturday, August 26, 2023, after a brief undisclosed illness.
General Onyeuko compulsorily retired from the Nigerian Army following the recent appointment of new service chiefs. After being replaced as the Military spokesperson, Onyeuko was posted to the Defence Headquarters’ Department of Logistics.
He was then appointed as a Director of Procurement at the Defence Headquarters and was later promoted to the rank of Major General in December 2022.
Close family friends, who described the news as shocking, said the retired General was hale and hearty until he suddenly fell ill on Saturday morning.
In his reaction to the news Garba Shehu, Media Aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, prayed that Onyeuko rest in peace. He tweeted thus; “Just read the shocking news that we have lost our friend, the former military spokesperson, Major-General Bernard Onyeuko (rtd). May the Almighty grant fortitude to the family to bear the loss. RIP.”
For General Ahmadu, whose unexpected passage also sent shock across military formations, reports described the late Officer known for gallantry, as a stickler for professionalism and regimental duties.
According to Military sources, Brigadier General Ahmadu was rushed to an Abuja hospital, where he was confirmed dead after he slumped during the physical test exercise.
One of the Senior officers had confirmed thus; “Sadly, an Army Brigadier General lost his life while running during the Second Annual Physical Training Test for the year 2023. His name is Brigadier General I.M. Ahmadu, an Artillery Officer currently serving in the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes.”
The Officer also disclosed that the late Army General was buried on Monday evening, August 21, 2023, according to Islamic rites.
