In recognition of their worthy contribution to their fatherland, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred posthumous national honours on 17 soldiers killed in Okuama community in Delta state while on a peace mission.
He also announced scholarship awards and housing facilities for families of the deceased soldiers as a further appreciation of their loved ones.
While the four senior officers were honoured with Member of the Order of Niger (MON), the 13 soldiers were conferred with Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
“They have all been awarded posthumous national honours. 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,” he said.
The slain officers are Lt.-Colonel Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa and Captain U. Zakari.
The soldiers include Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna, and Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi.
Others are Lance Corporal Bello Anas, Private Alhaji Isah, Private Clement Francis, Private Abubakar Ali, Private Adamu Ibrahim, Private Hamman Peter, and Private Ibrahim Adamu,
…The president speaks
President Tinubu spoke Wednesday at a solemn and emotional burial ceremony of the fallen soldiers at the military cemetery in Abuja, with grieving family members, relations, military chiefs and top government functionaries in attendance.
At the event, the president ordered the army authority to pay the slain soldiers’ entitlements to their family members within 90 days.
They include 10 widows, three of whom are carrying 4-8-month pregnancy, 21 orphans and parents among others.
Bidding the slain soldiers’ farewell in the midst of his deepest condolences to the military fraternity, President Tinubu lauded the military for not embarking on reprisal, but called on the elders in the community to fish out the killers.
“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 Okuoma also have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men,” he said.
“We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuoma are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them,” the president added.
Tinubu also commended the military for not carrying out reprisals on the community, admonishing them not to let the death of their colleagues discourage them.
He said: “I wish to also commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or its neighbouring communities.”
Continuing, the president said: “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.
“Within our continent, our sub-region and across the world, the Nigerian Military has remained a force for good, embodying a great example and keeping our democracy safe. It is now our duty to protect the families of our departed heroes.”
To the families of the fallen soldiers, he said: “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 Military must, within the next 90 days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.
“May the families of the departed and all their loved ones find the strength to bear the pain of this loss. May God grant our heroes eternal rest.”
…CDS
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, vowed to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“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.
“Your evil actions may cause pain and suffering, but they will never extinguish the spirit of unity and resilience that burns within us. You will surely pay,” Musa vowed.
The CDS thanked the fallen soldiers for their unwavering commitment to duty, sacrifices, and love for the nation.
“You served bravely, and your courage will forever be remembered. We will honour your memory by continuing the fight against those who seek to undermine our peace and security.
“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to build a nation worthy of your sacrifice,” he said.
While commiserating with families of the deceased soldiers, the defence chief assured them that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would support them in every way possible.
“To the beloved families who have lost their loved ones, we extend our deepest condolences. We cannot begin to fathom the pain and sorrow that you are experiencing.
“Please know that you are not alone in your grief as the entire nation and the Armed Forces mourn with you and stands ready to support you in every way possible.
“We recognize that no words can ease your pain, but we hope that you find solace in the knowledge that your loved ones made an indelible mark on our nation’s history,” the CDS said.
To the armed forces, he said: “The loss we feel today is immeasurable, but we must not allow it to dim the light of hope within us. Instead, let us use this moment as a rallying cry to come together as a nation, to support our armed forces, and to work tirelessly towards a Nigeria free from the grip of violence and insecurity.
“We owe it to these fallen heroes to honour their memory by redoubling our efforts to create a safer and more prosperous nation for all.
“Let us build a nation where every citizen can live without fear, where communities can thrive, and where our children can grow up knowing the true meaning of security and stability.
“To the men and women who continue to serve in the armed forces, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your dedication to duty.
“Your commitment to defending our nation, even in the face of great peril, is truly commendable. You carry the torch that our fallen heroes have passed on, and we stand by your side as you confront the challenges that lie ahead,”
…COAS
Also speaking, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. – General Taoreed Lagbaja, said it’s demoralising that the soldiers got killed by the people they were trained to protect.
“Ours is a profession that deals with matters of life and death. When soldiers die in the hands of the enemies of the State, we take it as dying for what the nation has considered a just cause; we celebrate them as gallant heroes.
“But when they are gruesomely murdered by the very people they are trained, equipped, and took an oath to protect, it is highly demoralizing,” he said.
The Army chief lamented that it took the search and recovery effort over 72 hours to recover some vital organs of the decapitated and disemboweled bodies of the soldiers that were scattered all over the Okuama community by the killers.
He said the army had so far restrained itself in the ongoing search for missing arms, ammunition and missing body parts.
“I consider it the most barbaric act any citizen or community can commit against the authority of the state, and I must place on record that a lot of restraints have been exercised so far in our search and recovery efforts for missing arms, ammunition, other equipment, and body parts,” he said.
“The Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and, by extension, the Nigeria state – 10 widows (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,” Lagbaja said.
Those present at the burial ceremony were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief George Akume, Governors of Delta state Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa’s Douye Diri, Kano’s Abba Kabiru Yusuf, Imo’s Hope Uzodinma and Usman Ododo of Kogi state.
Others were Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, Minister of State for Defence Mohammed Bello Matawalle, top senior military officers, relations and sympathisers of the fallen heroes, among others.
