The military on Wednesday, March 27, buried the seventeen army personnel who were killed in Delta State on March 14.
The personnel, made up of one Lt. Colonel, two majors, one Captain, and 13 soldiers, were laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery Abuja, at about 5:45 pm, amidst tears.
The army personnel were ambushed and murdered by youths 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 at the National Military Cemetery are Lt. Col. A.H Ali, Maj Safa, Maj D.E Obi, and Cap U. Zakari.
The soldiers are 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 are 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.
Other personalities at the National Cemetery for the burial are Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Kano State Governor, Yusuf Abba Gida, Bayelsa State Governor, Kaduna State Governor, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, Imo State Governor, Hope Ozodinma, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibril, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass.
Others are the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru, and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, Secretary to the Government Federation, Goodwill Akpabio, 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.
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.
The president commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or its neighbouring communities.
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.
“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: “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 ninety days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.
