ARMY: Army Debunks Rumours Over Death of Battalion Commander.

By Jako Keke, June 19, 2026.

The Headquarters of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke has dismissed social media reports linking the death of Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gabriel Okoye, Commanding Officer of 20 Model Battalion, to a bandit attack or any operational incident.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the Brigade described the reports as misleading, inaccurate, and insensitive to the family of the deceased officer.

According to the statement, Lieutenant Colonel Okoye died on June 13, 2026, after a brief illness, contrary to claims circulating on various social media platforms suggesting that he was killed during a bandit attack.

"For the avoidance of doubt, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gabriel Okoye passed away after a brief illness. His death was neither the result of a bandit attack nor any operational incident, as falsely insinuated in some social media reports," the statement said.

The Army noted that the circumstances surrounding the officer's death were clear and had already been communicated through official channels, stressing that speculation and the spread of unverified information were capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among military personnel, their families, and the general public.

The Brigade expressed concern over what it described as the growing trend of disseminating false narratives without verification from official sources, lamenting that some individuals and media platforms had chosen to speculate on the death of a distinguished officer without recourse to established facts.

It urged journalists and members of the public to disregard the misleading reports and refrain from sharing unsubstantiated information that could undermine public confidence and disrespect the memory of the deceased.

The Army further reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and responsible information dissemination, encouraging the public to seek clarification through official military communication channels whenever necessary.

The statement paid tribute to the late Lieutenant Colonel Okoye, describing him as a dedicated and professional officer who served Nigeria with honour and distinction.

"The Nigerian Army continues to mourn his passing and prays for the peaceful repose of his soul," the statement added.

Lieutenant Colonel Okoye was serving as the Commanding Officer of the 20 Model Battalion at the time of his death. His passing has continued to attract tributes from colleagues, associates, and members of the public who remember his service to the nation.