The Nigerian Army on Monday confirmed the death of its commander of 25 Task Force Brigade, Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako. In a statement, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Col. Ado Isa, said Colonel D.C Bako was wounded in action after he led a patrol to clear Boko Haram Terrorist from Sabon Gari-Wajiroko axis near Damboa. His patrol team entered an ambush at about 10 am, Sunday 20 September 2020, he was shot and he died on Monday morning after saying his prayers at the 7 Division Hospital at Maimalari Cantonment, Borno State. Governor Babagana Zulum eulogized Bako in a recent statement made available to the media.
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, said the sacrifice of Col Bako and those who pay the supreme price in the fight against the insurgency will not be in vain.
According to him, ‘It was public knowledge that I (Zulum) liked late Col. Bako and so did many people. Bako was a true soldier who inspired his troops and led them to frontlines with exceptional courage that was clearly out of pure patriotism. He fought very hard and very well. He defeated many enemies of peace and protected many sons and daughters of Borno State to the extent he gave his life defending the people of Borno. By the grace of God, the supreme sacrifices made by Col. Bako and many other heroes like him in the armed forces and volunteers shall not be in vain. The death of our heroes, sad as it is, only reinforces our confidence in the strong will exhibited by our gallant troops and volunteers that defending our country comes ahead of everything. The people of Borno will forever be grateful to late Col. Bako and everyone like him.’
Colonel D.C Bako’s impeccable record speaks volumes as they earned him an enviable position as the former Commanding Officer of the 27 Task force Brigade of the Nigerian army, Damaturu which was strictly for very senior officers beyond his rank at that period. He was also the Commanding Officer of 233 battalion. As Acting Brigade Commander, he demonstrated his battlefield efficiency on several occasions as he successfully liberated and secured so many towns, captured a number of terrorists in his area of responsibility, which falls mostly within Yobe state.
While other top military officers were redeployed to other duties across the country in August 2019, Colonel DC Bako was ordered to remain in Sector 2, Operation LafiyaDole as acting Chief of Staff. He was known amongst his soldiers as a leader who led from the front. He was a gentleman and was described as a professional military officer who personified patriotism and comradeship. He was rightfully nicknamed and referred to as ‘Sarkin Yarki’ by his colleagues, and all those that worked with him.
After clearing the ambush, the heroic Bako was evacuated and successfully operated upon by a team of doctors from within the military and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and was stable to the point of performing his early morning prayers.
Colonel Bako was one of the heroes of our time, whose contributions to the war against terrorism and insurgency are unquantifiable. He motivated the troops and those that were with him in the Lafiya Dole Operation. There is no doubt that his death is a sad blow to the nation and all those who knew him. The outpouring of emotions, tributes and prayers over his demise, is a testimony to the fact that he is a significant loss to the nation.
May the gallant soul of Col. Bako rest peacefully with our God, who rewards good people with unending joy after death. Amen.