The Nigerian Army has firmly rejected reports claiming that a young man from Gombe State, identified as Ibrahim Nazifi, died during military training at the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State. Military authorities have described the claims as inaccurate and misleading, stressing that the individual in question never commenced training at the facility.
The clarification comes amid growing public concern and online discussions suggesting that the alleged death occurred during a recent round of army training. Such reports, if left unaddressed, risk inflaming public anxiety around military recruitment exercises, particularly in a country where security institutions are under constant public scrutiny.
Army’s Official Position
In a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at Depot NA Zaria, Captain Chikadibia Viola Anele, the Army explained that while Ibrahim Nazifi was indeed shortlisted for training, he never reported to the depot to begin the programme. The statement, released via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Defence Headquarters, was unequivocal in its denial of any fatal incident involving the individual.
According to the Army, records show that Nazifi successfully passed the state-level recruitment screening exercise conducted in December 2025 and was subsequently shortlisted for training at the Zaria depot. However, the military emphasised that shortlisting alone does not equate to participation in training.
“At no point was he admitted into the training programme,” the statement said, adding that the depot has no record of his arrival, presence, participation, injury, or death.
What We Know So Far
Based on the Army’s account, several key facts have been established:
- Ibrahim Nazifi passed the initial recruitment screening exercise in Gombe State in December 2025.
- He was shortlisted for training at Depot NA Zaria but did not report for the commencement of training.
- The depot has no documentation indicating that he was ever physically present at the facility.
- No injury, medical emergency, or death involving Nazifi occurred within the depot.
Given these facts, the Army maintains that the alleged death did not take place within its training environment.
Call for External Investigation
Rather than dismissing the issue entirely, the Nigerian Army urged the Gombe State Government and other relevant civil authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported death. It advised that attention should be directed towards establishing where, when, and under what conditions the individual actually died, noting that any such incident occurred outside military jurisdiction.
This approach reflects a broader institutional effort to ensure clarity and accountability, while distancing the military from an incident it says has been wrongly attributed to its training processes.
Context on Military Training and Safety
The Army also addressed broader concerns about the nature of military training. Acknowledging that army training is physically and mentally demanding, it cautioned against interpreting the rigour of such programmes as negligence or abuse.
“Military training is deliberately designed to build endurance, resilience and combat readiness,” the statement noted. While conceding that injuries or fatalities can occur in rare cases, the Army stressed that structured safety measures, medical support systems, and risk-mitigation protocols are in place to protect recruits.
This clarification appears aimed at countering a recurring narrative on social media that portrays military training as inherently unsafe or poorly supervised.
Why This Matters
The issue highlights the growing impact of unverified information in Nigeria’s digital space, particularly on sensitive matters involving national security institutions such as the Nigerian Army. Allegations of deaths during military training can quickly erode public trust, discourage prospective recruits, and strain relations between communities and security agencies.
For states like Gombe State, where military recruitment is often seen as a pathway to employment and national service, misinformation can create fear and resentment among families and communities.
The Army’s response also underscores the importance of due process and evidence-based reporting, especially when dealing with issues that carry emotional weight and national implications.
What Happens Next
As advised by the Army, attention is likely to shift to civil authorities in Gombe State to determine the true circumstances surrounding the reported death of Ibrahim Nazifi. Any confirmed findings from such an investigation would help put the matter to rest and prevent further speculation.
In the meantime, the Nigerian Army has called on members of the public to disregard the circulating reports and refrain from spreading unverified claims capable of misleading the public or damaging the institution’s reputation.
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