Nwanko: A soldier Kebbi community would not forget even in death

The news of his death hit the Zuru community and Kebbi environs like a thunder bolt. Warrant Officer Marcel Nwanko was trying to save a woman who was being washed away by the flood in Danko Wasagu area of Zuru when he was overpowered by the ravaging flood and he drowned.

According to locals, Nwanko had on the fateful day saved about 10 people who would have been washed away by the flood. He, however, died while trying to save another victim, a woman.

Those who knew the warrant officer during his life time while serving in the remote area of Kebbi State said he was a gallant soldier. They told our correspondent during a visit to the area that he was known by many in the community where he was serving before his death for his bravery, friendliness and commitment to his duty.

A local, Samson Adams, who spoke to our correspondent, commended the “rare bravery” of late Nwanko.

"The day he died was a bad day for us here. We lost five members of our community to the flood. We would have lost more if not for his rare effort and bravery. He dared the flood, saved lives but it was a pity he died in the flood," Adams said.

It was learnt that woman Nwankwo tried to save was caught in the flood that took over some section of the community and she was helpless. She was being dragged away by the flood when late Nwank went into it to save her but he didn't make it back.

A resident of the village, Danladi Usman, said “Nobody could dare the flood water but at that circumstance the soldier displayed courage and decided to save the woman. But while he was trying to pull the woman out he was overpowered by the tide of the flood and he was washed away with the woman he wanted to save”.

The late Warrant Officer Nwanko was attached to the 223 Light Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Zuru area of Kebbi State but was in Unashi village, Danko Wasagu when the flood incident occurred.

A community leader in Unashi, John Andrew, who spoke to our correspondent on the incident, said his death was a disaster to the community. He described him as a complete patriot and a gallant soldier.

“We will not forget him in this community. We are sad by his death and others who died in the flood. It was unfortunate that he died trying to save the life of another person. It shows he was a committed soldier who deserves to be remembered," he said.

A soldier at the 223 Light