Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a devastating account that has drawn intense national attention, the wife of Captain Aliyu Hajji has shared chilling details surrounding the last moments of her husband’s life after he was killed in a brutal ambush in Plateau State. The officer, recognised by colleagues and communities alike for his service, was laid to rest with full military honours over the weekend, but the painful circumstances of his death continue to reverberate across the nation.
Captain Hajji, originally from the Anguar‑kura community in Lokoja, Kogi State, was among soldiers ambushed by armed assailants while on patrol in the Garga region of Kanam Local Government Area. The attack, which also claimed the lives of local vigilantes who were travelling with the patrol, has underscored ongoing security challenges in parts of central Nigeria that have seen repeated attacks by armed groups.
According to family members, Captain Hajji’s final moments were marked by a phone call with his wife. In what was meant to be a routine check‑in, he informed her that he and his colleagues were on patrol in the communities of Garga, Kyaram, and Gyambau, assuring her that they would return home soon. Hours later, when he did not respond to further messages or calls, his wife made a second attempt to reach him.
Instead of hearing his voice, she received a phone call from someone using his phone — a voice claiming to be one of his attackers. The person told her that her husband had been killed. Shocked and overwhelmed, she alerted relatives, who quickly mobilised and made their way to the scene of the ambush.
What they found was grisly: Captain Hajji and others shot and killed in the attack had been burned by their assailants. Many of the bodies were “burned beyond recognition,” family members recounted, and the captain’s identity was confirmed only by his personal bodyguard. A particularly perplexing detail, relatives said, was that there were no visible bullet wounds on Captain Hajji’s remains — a fact that military investigators say is still being examined as part of ongoing inquiries into the exact cause of death.
The military has not yet formally communicated the official cause of death to the family, a necessary step for relatives to access benefits and support for the surviving dependents. That delay has added to the anguish of loved ones already struggling with their loss.
Family members described Captain Hajji as a devoted officer whose life embodied patriotism and selfless service. Alhaji Danladi Abdulsalam, the head of the family and Dan Maliki of Lokoja, spoke at the burial held at the Lungi Brigade Military Cemetery, Asokoro Barracks in Abuja, describing the fallen officer as a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation. His voice choked with emotion, Abdulsalam said his passing was deeply mourned not only by family and friends but by the wider Nigerian community.
Another relative, Alhaji Musa Tanimu Nasidi, highlighted the significant toll that service members endure daily in the defence of the country. He praised Captain Hajji’s courage and dedication, reminding mourners and the public alike that the late officer died bravely while safeguarding citizens from criminal threats to peace and security.
Born in 1984 and elevated to the rank of Major shortly before his death, Captain Hajji had been awaiting further decoration when fate intervened. His personal life reflected a deep sense of family, humility, and faith; just weeks before his death, he had posted a heartfelt tribute online marking the first anniversary of his mother’s passing. That message, many noted, spoke of love, loss, and devotion — all themes now shadowed by the tragic irony of his own death soon after.
The funeral service was solemn and dignified, beginning with prayers at the National Mosque in Abuja, followed by a military parade led by Colonel O. Olaleye. Senior military officers recounted the biography and service record of Captain Hajji, emphasising his leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty.
Among dignitaries paying their respects were Brigadier General Idris Abdulrahman, traditional leaders including the Kuguna of Lokoja and the Dama of Lokoja, community representatives, and thousands of mourners drawn from across the military, civil society, and the communities he served.
A particularly poignant moment during the ceremony was the symbolic presentation of the Nigerian flag to Captain Hajji’s young son, Aliyu Umar, a gesture representing the nation’s recognition of his father’s ultimate sacrifice. Family members, friends, and well‑wishers wept openly as they witnessed the flag being folded and handed over to the bereaved child.
Captain Hajji is survived by two wives and four children — one son and three daughters. His father passed away about ten years ago, and his mother died last year, leaving his children without any surviving grandparents. The loss has been profound and deeply felt within his extended family and communities.
The ambush in Plateau State has drawn renewed focus on security vulnerabilities in parts of Nigeria’s middle belt, where armed groups continue to target civilians and security forces alike. Local associations and traditional leaders have urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, reinforce security infrastructure, and improve coordination among military units and local communities to prevent future attacks.
The killing of Captain Hajji, the way his remains were treated, and the traumatic phone call relayed to his wife have provoked national sorrow and condemnation. His death is seen by many as emblematic of the risks faced by Nigeria’s armed forces and a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve to protect the nation.
As the family and military community continue to mourn, attention has also turned to the need for deeper analysis of the causes and implications of such attacks — including the circumstances that permitted armed assailants to carry out such an ambush and the steps necessary to prevent a recurrence.
Captain Aliyu Hajji’s legacy is now entwined with both his valor on patrol and the love he bore for his family — a life cut short in service, but remembered in full by those who knew him and the nation he served.
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