The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa has vowed to avenge the death of personnel killed by bandits in Niger State.
General Musa said this at the Burial of Military Personnel Who Died recently in a Combat/Air Crash in Niger State at the National Military Cemetery Abuja on Friday 25 August 2023.
He maintained that none of those adversaries would go scot-free, saying they would be hunted down by all means.
Military last week disclosed that a total of 36 personnel of the military paid the supreme price during an ambush by the terrorists at the Zungeru-Tegina road and the subsequent jet crash that happened in the Chukuba area of Shiroro, all in Niger State.
The deceased, buried at the Cemetery, includes Private Habib Aliyu, who joined the armed forces in 2020; Lance Corporal Nura Mohammed (joined in 2016); AB Suleiman with registration number X/1468; Lance Corporal Sunday Okopi (12NA/65/5192) and 16 others.
Speaking after laying wreaths on their graves and presenting the national flags to the deceased's next of kin, Musa said they joined the family members in their griefs, adding that the deaths of their loved ones would not be in vain.
"Those that did this, and those that have continued our men, wherever they are, we will get them out, we will smoke them out and we will ensure that they never have any other opportunity to kill any other person, that I assure you.
"We will hunt you down, we will bring you to Justice. We will not relent until we get those causing havoc in the country," the distraught Defence Chief said.
He vowed that the military would smoke them out and ensure that they never had the opportunity to kill any other person.
“Today we gather here with heavy hearts and tearful eyes to bid farewell to our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation.
“We stand here today to honour their courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty.
“Their lives were abruptly taken from us in the line of duty while responding to a distress call in the Chukuba community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger,” he said.
Musa said the event was to also celebrate their lives and extra extraordinary contributions they had made, adding that their selflessness and unwavering dedication to duty would forever be remembered.
He assured the deceased families that the military would stand with them in their grief and would continue to support them during this difficult time.
“These men and women laid down their lives so that we can live in peace and security. They fought on the front lines against the forces of evil and ensured that the flavour of hood and liberty continued to bend right in our nation.
“Their courage and dedication will forever be an inspiration to all to follow their footsteps.
“To the families who have lost loved ones notwithstanding our deepest condolences, we cannot begin to fathom the pain and sorrow that you are experiencing but know that deep in your heart, you are not alone in your grief.
“To our following heroes, we will honour your memories by continuing to fight against those who seek to undermine our peace and security.
“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to be the nation worthy of sacrifice.
“To the bandits, terrorists, and perpetrators of violence, we will haunt you down, we will bring you to justice and will restore peace and security to every corner of our nation,” he added.
We report that 20 bodies of the deceased personnel were buried amidst tears at the National Military Cemetery in line with military tradition.
SpyeTV News recall that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed in an ambush in Zungeru general area of the state while seven were wounded in action.
The NAF helicopter was on a mission to evacuate the deceased and wounded troops when it crashed at Chukuba area of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state on Aug. 13.
The crashed helicopter was conveying 14 bodies of the previously killed soldiers and seven wounded ones, two pilots and two crew members.