NAF officer dies in detention after reporting late due to illness

Tragedy has struck the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) following the death of an officer, Wulumba A.S., while serving detention in the guardroom at the Special Operations Command (SOC) in Bauchi State.

The incident, which has sparked outrage among family members and observers, is allegedly being covered up by the military command.

Wulumba, a senior officer from the 2003 regular intake with the service number NAF 03/21103, was reportedly detained on May 4, 2025, for arriving late to duty — a delay caused by health-related issues.

Despite informing his superiors about his condition, his commanding officer, Group Captain Ofile, allegedly dismissed his explanation and ordered his confinement in the guardroom.

According to his sister, Numdarai Joy Wulumba, the officer managed to call her before he was locked up, explaining his situation and the reason for his detention. That call was the last the family heard from him.

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“He called me and said he was being sent to the guardroom for being late due to illness. After that call, we never heard from him again — until we were told the next day that he had died,” said Numdarai.

She questioned the legality and duration of his detention, noting that military regulations typically limit such confinement for minor offences to 24 hours.

“He should have been given a fair hearing or court-martialled if necessary, not just locked away. My brother gave this country over 20 years of his life. Is this how they repay him?” she lamented.

Wulumba leaves behind a grieving mother, wife, four children, and his only sister.

The family is now calling on President Bola Tinubu and top military officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Inquiries made to the NAF spokesperson in Bauchi, Flight Lieutenant Ogili Friday Miracle, yielded little clarity.

When contacted by newsmen, he said, “I don’t have any information — we’re on holiday now.”

When pressed further, he added, “If you want information, go to the family. I have nothing to give you.”

The Wulumba family insists that his death was preventable and are demanding accountability from the Nigerian military.

They vow to pursue justice to ensure those responsible are held to account.

“We want answers. He didn’t deserve to die like this,” his sister said. “We won’t stop until justice is done.”