2006 military plane crash: How child hero’s dream became reality

…says he’ll serve nation to the best of his ability

For newly pipped 2nd Lieutenant Detimbir Chia, the child hero whose bravery saved the lives of some top military brass after their aircraft crashed in Ngokugh Hills of Benue village 12 years ago, there are yet no words strong enough to express his emotion over his graduation from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Chia was among the many young officers who graduated from the NDA in Kaduna State on Saturday October 7, 2018 after completion of a five-year course in Military Economics.

The young army officer who spoke to our correspondent in Makurdi a few minutes before his thanksgiving service held at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Nyiman Layout Makurdi, said he lacked words to appreciate God, the military and everyone who made his dream come true.

“I just want to thank God and everyone around me who had supported me spiritually, financially and in every other aspect, may the Lord reward them,” he said.

Chia was only 13 years old when on September 17, 2006; he discovered the crash site of a military helicopter while working at his family farm several miles from his village at Mbakunu, Shangev -Ya, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

Instead of taking to his heels from the devastating scene, the boy had summoned courage, approached the helpless victims, picked one cell phone from the many scattered items at the scene and called his father, Chia James Anakula, who at that time was the only person in his village that owned a GSM handset.

His father promptly mobilised villagers and alerted relevant authorities who organised a rescue operation that saved eight out of the 18 passengers on board.

Apparently overjoyed by the courage of the young boy, the then Chief of Defence Staff, Late General Owoye Andrew Azazi, promised to make Detimbir’s dream of becoming a soldier a reality when he visited the scene of accident.  He promised the boy an unhindered admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a way of rewarding him.

Interestingly, penultimate Saturday, the child hero joined his other mates who participated in the Passing Out Parade (POP), convocation, pipping and presidential commissioning from the NDA to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.

In an interview with our correspondent, he said “The whole world knows where I am coming from and I know where I am going to. I’m going to do the best I can. I’m going to serve my nation to the best of my knowledge and ability.

“And I just want to advise the public that it is not yet over until it is over. In whatsoever condition you find yourself, don’t ever give up, just keep praying and have this hope and faith in God that he can change everything for your good,” he said.

“To young Nigerians, all I have to tell them is to try and be of good character. They should be God fearing and most of all, they should have integrity. If you are a man of integrity, anywhere you find yourself even when no one sees you; God is watching you and will definitely reward you.

“On that day, when I was going (to facilitate the rescue of those military officers whose plane had crashed on Ngoghku Hill), I never knew it would become something like this. I just did what I had to do but my goal at that time was to save lives and at the end of the day, it paid off for me.”

Detimbir’s father, Chia James Anakula, says his joy cannot be quantified, especially for being alive to witness the realisation of his son’s dream of becoming an army officer. He expressed gratitude to God and the Nigerian Army for fulfilling its promise to his son.

“I was there on the day of my son’s graduation. I give God the glory. I’m excited and my joy is indescribable,”  he said.