None Of My Children Will Join The Military, Says Widow Of Colonel Murdered In Delta

Hauwa Ali, the wife of the late Lt Col A.H Ali, says she will not allow any of her children to join the military following the gruesome death of her husband in Okuama community of Ughelli South local government area of Delta state.

Ali’s widow made the statement during an interview with Daily Trust, saying that her late husband had already sacrificed himself for Nigeria.

Recall that the federal government, the Nigerian army and Nigerians as a whole received with shock the death of 17 military personnel on a peace mission as Okuama and Okoloba engaged in communal clash.

The officers and soldiers died on Thursday 14 March, 2024, when they were ambushed by gunmen, who also carted away their weapons.

The army has vowed to fish out the assailants and bring them to book, while some eminent Nigerians have called for an independent probe of the matter.

Speaking about the dignified personality and selfless service of her late husband, Ali, the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Hauwa said, “Words cannot describe him because he was everything to us. He was a man of his words, dedicated to both his family and work.

“Apart from his family, he sacrificed his life for Nigeria, and that’s the price he has paid. I pray that wherever he is God, would continue to be with him.

“His dedication to humanity is one thing I will always remember. No matter how he was, once he was called to work, he would make sure he fulfilled it.”

When asked if she would allow some of her children to join the military in future, she said, “I will not advise any of his children to be in the military. Their father has already sacrificed his life for the country.”

Hauwa said Ali’s murder devastated her, adding that she never knew the peace mission he went to would be his last assignment for the country, as he called her when he was leaving.

“We know that death is inevitable. As Muslim we have to die at some point and time, but I am really shattered by the way my husband was killed. He called me that very day and told me that he was going for a peace mission. I never knew that it was the last time we would speak.

“Nobody could call to tell me the news until Saturday. I was called from the State House,” she added.