President Tinubu on Thursday has awarded the 17 Nigerian Army Personnel killed in Action during a peace mission on 14 March 2024 in Okuama Community, Delta State a 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.
President Tinubu disclosed this today at the National Military Cemetery Abuja where the remains of the 17 personnel were committed to mother earth.
He described the officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day as patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect the nation against internal and external threats. "Their sacrifice will be remembered and honoured for generations to come and their."
He said on behalf of the Nation, he 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."
The President also commiserate with the families of the fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces. "I share in the pain and grief you carry today. It is my prayer that God will comfort all who are bereaved as a result of this tragedy.
President Tinubu noted also that the Federal Government will provide a house in any part of the country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.
He added that the Federal Government has also approved scholarships to all the children of the deceased up to the University level.
He therefore directed the Military to and must, within the next ninety days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.
"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 endthe cycle of violence and bloodletting.
"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.
"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. 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.
"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."he stressed
The 17 personnel buried today amidst tears were Lieutenant Colonel Ali,
Major D.E Obi,
Major S.D. Ashafa,
Captain U. Zakari,
Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu,
Corporal Danbaba Yahaya,
Corporal Kabir Bashir,
Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim,
Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna,
Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi,
Lance Corporal Bello Anas;
Private Alhaji Isah,
Private Clement Francis,
Private Abubakar Ali,
Private Adamu Ibrahim,
Private Hamman Peter, and
Private Ibrahim Adamu,