Friends Mourn Beheaded Pilot, Chimda Hedima

monjola sotubo

October 4, 2014 8:40 PM

The Nigerian pilot who was beheaded by the Boko Haram sect has been identified as Wing Commander Chimda Hedima

The Boko Haram sect released a video on Thursday, October 2 which reportedly showed the beheading of a Nigerian pilot who has now been identified as Wing Commander Chimda Hedima.

Hedima and his co-pilot went missing along with an Air Force jet on September 11. Leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau claimed in the same video that the jet had been shot down by his fighters.

However, in response to the beheading, Air Commodore Dele Alonge told AFP:

“The man shown in the Boko Haram video is not our officer. “The picture of a man beheaded in the video is superimposed,” he said without elaborating. “Our plane is still missing and we are looking for it. Boko Haram is just making unfounded claims.”

Friends of the late Hedima have taken to social media to express their grief and commiserate with his family while extolling his bravery.

In a Facebook post, Ronald Ekene Monye said:

Thousands of Nigerians have died since the Boko Haram insurgency. But, yesterday was the first time this whole violence touched my skin.

A fine officer and gentleman; father, brother and son who came from a family of warriors--in the person of Wg. Cdr. Chimda Hedima who was brutally murdered by those blood sucking demons called Boko Haram.

I'm still in deep shock! Not only did I have the privilege of being at Air Force Military School, Jos with him for 3yrs; we bumped into each other a couple of times after he became a fighter pilot and one thing was unmistakable about him.... He was still a very humble and decent chap.

I have not been able to function properly since I saw the news on a blog. Na wa! Why is it always the good ones that go out like this???

R. I. P. Sir! We Ex-Junior Airmen have lost a great brother, Nigeria has lost a warrior and I can't begin to imagine what his family is going through right now. Only God knows best sha.

Another friend of the family said:

Fb friends and family please pray for our friend and brother.....My heart aches for my dear friend, So sad!!! Praying for My Hedima family... We are praying for you Chim..

May his soul rest in peace.

monjola sotubo