Sahara Reporters has taken to it’s official X handle and announced that, In a deeply disturbing development, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is being accused of attempting to suppress the details surrounding the death of one of its personnel, Warrant Officer Wulumba A.S., who tragically died while detained in a guardroom at the Special Operations Command (SOC) in Bauchi State.
Wulumba, a dedicated officer from the 2003 regular intake, with service number NAF 03/21103, was allegedly thrown into detention for arriving late to duty—a delay caused by a serious illness he was already battling. Instead of receiving medical attention, his commanding officer, Group Captain Ofile, reportedly ordered his confinement, ignoring the officer’s health complaints.
According to his grieving sister, Numdarai Joy Wulumba, the last communication she had with her brother came on May 4, 2025, when he called her in distress from detention.
> “He told me he was being locked up for being late, even though he explained that he was sick. His commander didn’t care. That was the last time we ever heard from him. Then on Friday, we got the heartbreaking news that he had died in custody,” she said through tears.
Wulumba’s death has now plunged his entire family into mourning—especially his aged mother, his wife, and his four young children who now face a future without their pillar.
Injustice Behind Bars?
Joy Wulumba, clearly incensed by the military’s apparent disregard for human life, questioned the legality and morality of her brother’s prolonged detention.
> “I’ve lived near military barracks my whole life. Even under the military code, detention for misdemeanors like lateness shouldn’t exceed 24 hours. If there was any need for disciplinary action, a proper court-martial should have been conducted. Instead, he was left to rot in the guardroom, where he died. Let the Air Force deal with the consequences now,” she said.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to get clarification from NAF authorities in Bauchi were met with cold indifference. When contacted, the base’s spokesperson, Flight Lieutenant Ogili Friday Miracle, offered a flat response:
> “I don’t have any information — we’re on holiday now,” he said.
When pressed further about the gravity of the situation and the responsibility of the Air Force to provide answers, his response only deepened the outrage:
> “If you want information, go to the family. I have nothing to give you.”
Such dismissiveness has raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the treatment of military personnel, especially those who become vulnerable while serving their country.
The Wulumba family has now made a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian military high command, demanding a full investigation into the circumstances that led to their son’s death.
> “He gave more than 20 years of his life to the Nigerian Air Force. Is this how they treat their own? We will not be silenced. We want answers. We want justice,” said Joy.
This heartbreaking incident is the latest in a series of troubling reports highlighting the poor welfare, internal abuse, and human rights violations within Nigeria’s security forces. Analysts say this case could become a rallying point for urgent reforms, particularly regarding the treatment of personnel who report health issues or face internal disciplinary actions.
The death of Warrant Officer Wulumba A.S. is not just a tragedy for one family—it is a national disgrace that calls for swift and uncompromising justice.
PIONEER NEWS 