- Tinubu bestows national honours on fallen combatants
- Children get FG scholarships
- Killing of soldiers in Delta demoralising – COAS
- We’ll hunt gunmen who killed them, CDS vows
Tears flowed freely at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday as the 17 army personnel who were killed in Delta State on March 14 were buried.
The personnel, made up of one Lt. Colonel, two majors, one Captain, and 13 soldiers, were laid to rest at about 5:45 pm, amidst tears by families and relatives.
The army personnel were ambushed and murdered by yet to be identified gunmen on Thursday, March 14, while on a peace mission, after a reported case of communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba Communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi local government areas of Delta State.
The personnel buried on Wednesday at the National Military Cemetery were Lt. Col. A.H Ali, Maj Safa, Maj D.E Obi, and Cap U. Zakari.
The soldiers were Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Yahaya Danbaba, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Haman Peter, and Ibrahim Abdullahi.
The rest included Privates Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Ibrahim Adamu and Adamu Ibrahim.
President Bola Tinubu who was the Special Guest of Honour arrived at the venue of burial at the venue at about 4:08pm.
In his remarks, President Tinubu described the diseased personnel as noblemen who gave their lives for the peace of the nation.
He said, “On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of Ali and the other gallant patriots who died that day. They will forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.”
He assured that the military would go after those who committed the dastardly act and brought them to justice.
Tinubu said, “I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice.
“The elders and chiefs of Okuama also have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.”
The president commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuama or its neighbouring communities.
He said, “We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuama are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them.
“To the entire armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a message for you: Do not let the death of your compatriots discourage you. There is no higher honour than the vocation you have chosen to pursue. We cherish you. We cherish your labour of love. We salute your daily sacrifice in protecting your fellow citizens from danger. We acknowledge your sacrifices to defend our nation.”
He said within the continent and the West African sub-region and across the world, the Nigerian Military has remained a force for good, embodying a great example and keeping our democracy safe.
He said, “It is now our duty to protect the families of our departed heroes.
The Federal Government will provide a house in any part of our country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.
“The Federal Government has also approved scholarships to all the children of the deceased up to the University level.”
The president charged the Military to, within the next 90 days; ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.
“Each man now belongs to the hallowed list of servicemen and women who defended our country and protected their fellow Nigerians not minding the risk to their own lives,” he said.
While commiserating with the families of our fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces, President Tinubu announced posthumous national honours to the deceased army personnel.
He said, “The four gallant Officers have been accorded the Award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON). The thirteen courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic Medal.”
The president said while the nation continues to grieve for the courageous men we lost that day, we must be reminded of the unfinished business of working for peace and harmony in our communities.
He said, “We must begin to rebuild our communities and make them into places where love, tolerance and harmony will reign.
“Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting.”
Killing of soldiers in Delta demoralising – COAS
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, described the recent killing of military personnel in Delta State as demoralising.
He noted that it was sad that those responsible for their deaths were those they swore to protect.
According to him, the personnel were on a legitimate duty when they met their deaths.
He also said that a total of 21 children had been orphaned and 10 women widowed by the actions of the culprits.
Lagbaja, however, sought the cooperation of the community to apprehend the culprits of the heinous crime.
Lagbaja said, “The Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and, by extension, the Nigeria state – 10 windows (three of whom are 4, 5, and 8 months pregnant), 21 orphans, and many other dependents which include parents. While commiserating with the families of these gallant soldiers, I assure them that the Nigerian Army and the good people of this country will not leave them in the cold. We shall do all within our power to provide succor to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones.”
He noted that the Army will not be deterred by the incidents, vowing that the culprits would be brought to book.
He said, “I assure Mr. President and all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army remains committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will not be deterred by setbacks such as witnessed in the Okuama community. As tasked by Mr President and Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army, with the assistance of its sister services and other security agencies, is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the Okuama murder to book and recover all service and personal belongings taken from the murdered troops.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to seek the cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly in the affected area, toward swift and successful conduct of our search and recovery operations.”
We’ll hunt gunmen who killed them, CDS vows
Also, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has vowed that those behind the death of military personnel in Delta would be hunted down.
Musa promised that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to justice.
Musa said, “To the perpetrators of violence who seek to sow division and fear among our people, know this: our resolve will not waver. We will hunt you down, we will bring you to justice, and we will restore peace and security to every nook and cranny of our dear nation.”
He said the fallen heroes exemplified the highest bravery and service to our dear nation.
He said the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would not go in vain.
“We owe it to the fallen heroes to build a nation where everybody can strive to become what he/she wants to become.”
He said the military would bring the perpetrators to justice. Adding that “whoever is supporting them directly or indirectly would face the music.
Other personalities at the National Cemetery for the burial were Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Kano State Governor, Yusuf Abba Gida, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibril, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass.
Others were the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru, and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, Secretary to the Government Federation, George Akume, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
