It was a rude shock when news filtered on Tuesday last week, Dec. 18 that a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh (Rtd) was killed by assailants in an ambush along Keffi-Barde road in Nasarawa State.
Different theories soon trailed the killing of the former top military officer at Gitata, a sleepy village sandwiched between the Shittu Alao Barracks and a big military road block. While some people said it was an assassination, some said it was armed robbery and others said the killing was the handiwork of kidnappers who opened fire on his vehicle, killing him instantly. His driver was badly wounded and another of his aides was kidnapped and was recently released.
Locals living around the crime scene however said it was a “kidnappers’ den,” saying the pattern of attack was consistent with many attacks in the past when unsuspecting travellers were ambushed by heavily armed men who opened fire on vehicles to force drivers to stop. They said many travellers lost their lives unreported in such attacks, and that this one attracted media attention only because of Badeh’s high standing in the society. Military bosses and top politicians have all condemned the killing and have called for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the Nigeria Air Force was still in shock over the death of its former chief. He said, “We are very appreciative of the sentiments expressed by Nigerians after the incident. It shows they love and support the Service. For this kind of thing to happen, it is something that is totally unacceptable.” He said NAF was working to apprehend those behind the heinous crime.
On his part, President Muhammadu Buhari commiserated with the family of the late four-star general and directed security agencies to find the killers and bring them to justice. The Senate also called on the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of Badeh. While we commiserate with the family and friends of the late four-star General, we believe that his untimely death will help to concentrate the minds of the authorities to rise up to the great challenge of securing lives and property in this country.
Sadly, Badeh died when he was about to open his defence at a Federal High Court, Abuja where he was charged in relation to the diversion of N3.9 billion meant for the purchase of arms. The case dragged on for over three years and it is regrettable that his own side of the story will not be heard.
Badeh was born at Vimtim in Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State on January 10, 1957. He attended Vimtim Primary School, and graduated from Villanova Secondary School in 1976, before proceeding to the Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna as member of the 21 Regular Course in January 1977. He was commissioned Pilot Officer in July 1979 and commenced his flying career at the 301 Flying Training School on the Bulldog Primary Trainer aircraft in 1979.
In 1981-1982 he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base of the United States Air Force. He was at the 301 Flying Training School (FTS) as a squadron pilot and later became an instructor pilot on the Bull Dog and DO-228 aircraft. He served in the Air Force for 38 years and attended junior staff course at Armed Forces Command and Staff College in 1988. In 1995-1996 he attended the senior staff course at same institution. He was at the National War College in 2005 and graduated in August 2006. He had an M.Sc. degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. Badeh also commanded the Presidential Air Fleet, was Chief of Air Staff and was the 15th Chief of Defence Staff until July 13, 2015. His killers should be brought to justice speedily in order for his grieving family to have a closure on this very sad case. May his soul rest in peace
