A Tribute
A Tribute to Gallant Anti-Terrorism Hero, Colonel DC
Bako
By Sani Kukasheka
The news of the demise of Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako of 25 Task
Force Brigade, Operation LAFIYA DOLE is indeed a shock and heart
wrenching to virtually everyone who knows him irrespective of the
family. 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. He was a gentleman and a professional military officer
in all ramifications. He was rightly nicknamed and referred to as
Sarkin Yaki by colleagues and all those that worked with him.
The late Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako was not just a Colonel and a
Brigade Commander. He was a personification of the soldiering
profession and a great asset to the nation. Based on his impeccable
qualities as a soldier’s soldier and wonderful person, he was loved
by all. He was one of the most gallant, courageous and highly
dedicated senior Army officers of the Nigerian Army that I have
ever known. He was very dependable, hardworking, humble, a man of
few words, forthright and down to earth. You always know where you
stand with on any issue or matter. He never complains, let alone
grumble, no matter the heat of the battle, pressure or
circumstances.
Colonel Bako was one of the heroes of our time whose
contributions to the war against terrorism and insurgency are
unquantifiable. He is the type who believed in leading from the
front and personally attend to matters. He motivates troops and all
those that were with him in the theatre. There is no doubt that his
death early today morning at a military hospital in Maiduguri
following an injury sustained in an ambush yesterday, is a sad blow
to the nation and all those that knew 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 early morning prayers. The Army was determined
to give the best medical care to enable him to recover fully, but
death came calling suddenly.
Over time we met each other in the course of duty especially in
the north east when he was Commanding Officer of 233 Battalion. The
last time we met was in Geidam, while he was an Acting Commander,
27 Task Force Brigade, after an attack on one of the locations
under his command. Since then, we have not met but kept in touch
through phone calls. A very respectful friend who was always there
for his colleagues and subordinates, especially when in need. A
type of field commander who makes public relations and managing the
image of the Army easy. Indeed, his impeccable records speak
volumes as they earned him an enviable position as the Acting
Commander, 27 Task Force Brigade, a place strictly for very senior
officers beyond the rank he was at that period. As Acting Brigade
Commander, he demonstrated his battlefield efficiency on several
occasions as he successfully liberated and secured so many towns,
captured an uncountable number of terrorists in his area of
responsibility which falls mostly within Yobe State.
As a result of these exploits, the terrorist dreaded him a lot
as he thwarted several of their efforts, including smuggling and
banditry. His presence in front lines was a morale booster to the
fighting forces. It is therefore saddening that such a gallant
officer will pay the supreme price following an ambush by Boko
Haram elements. The late Brigade Commander was such a daring,
fearless and courageous war commander that personally led his
troops in successful battles against the Boko Haram terrorists. His
charismatic and humane disposition endeared him to his troops and
the host community, wherever he served. He was so selfless to the
point of sponsoring so many needy students and orphans to schools
and vocational training.
Therefore, it was not surprising that he was given command of a
Brigade again at the rank of Colonel, as his record of service and
accomplishments stood him a far from his contemporaries. We will
certainly miss you, Colonel DC Bako, Sarkin Yaki. We will continue
to cherish your memory, pray for you and all those gallant
officers, soldiers, ratings, airmen and women. They paid the
supreme price in defence of our fatherland from terrorists and
criminal elements. Your death will not be in vain as we take solace
and pride in the fact that you died for humanity and as a hero that
would forever remember him for his immense contribution to the
quest for peace on our land. I wish to convey my deepest condolence
to the Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General TY
Buratai, Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, General Officer
Commanding 7 Division, the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE,
in particular those in 25 Task Force Brigade and his loving family
over this sad loss.
As I pour out my feelings from my heart and personally mourn his
demise, I seize this moment to appeal to the military leadership,
especially the Nigerian Army to give Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako a
national burial and promotion to the rank of a Brigadier General
posthumously. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him
Aljannah Firdausi, Amen.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) mni
A former Army Spokesperson