BREAKING: Hours Before Cpt Hajji Was Killed, He Shared Heartfelt Message About The Passing Of His Mother—Family

According to a report by Daily Trust, on Tuesday March 17, 2026, The families of the 20 soldiers and eight vigilantes killed in a brutal confrontation in Wanka village have begun to share the “deeply painful and traumatic” accounts of their loved ones’ final hours.

The clash, which occurred in the Kyaram district of Kanam Local Government Area, broke out during a high-stakes security operation targeting banditry and kidnapping networks.

According to reports from Daily Trust, the violence involved armed groups operating out of the Madam Forest a notorious, sprawling wilderness that serves as a cross-border hideout spanning Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba states.

The firefight claimed the lives of several high-ranking officers, including a Colonel and two Army Captains. Residents of Wanka noted that while the security forces suffered heavy losses, the exchange of gunfire also resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 bandits.

Among the fallen were Captain Aliyu Hajji, a native of Kogi State, and Captain Muhammad Sulaiman from Bauchi State.

For the families of the deceased, the loss is a staggering blow to both their households and the nation.

Danladi Abdulsalam, a relative of Captain Hajji, described the late officer as a man defined by his commitment to his uniform.

He remarked that Hajji was a “dedicated officer who died in service to the nation,” noting that his passing is a significant void for his family, his home state of Kogi, and Nigeria at large.

Perhaps the most poignant account came from Alhaji Musa Tanimu Nasidi, a member of Captain Hajji’s family, who revealed that the officer seemed to be reflecting on mortality just hours before the ambush.

“Hours before the incident, the late officer had shared a heartfelt message on his social media page marking the first anniversary of his mother’s passing,” Nasidi shared.

The post, which has since become a digital memorial for the Captain, served as a testament to his character before tragedy struck.

“That post reflected his deep sense of family, humility and faith,” Nasidi added. “Little did many know that shortly afterward, the same fate of death would come knocking on his own door.”

The tragedy highlights the ongoing danger posed by the Madam Forest corridor. While the military continues to push into the region to dislodge kidnapping cells, the bereaved families are left grappling with a “profound grief” that many describe as an ordeal that will haunt them for years to come.