The remains of 17 army personnel killed in Okuama community in Delta on March 14 were on Wednesday laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
The bodies were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.
In attendance at the burial were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
Also present were the deputy senate president, Mr Jibrin Barau; and speaker of the house of representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano).
Speaking at the burial of the soldiers, Lagbaja, described as “sad” the fact that those responsible for the soldiers’ death were those they swore to protect.
He said the soldiers were on a legitimate duty when they were felled.
Lagbaja also stated that the action of the killers resulted in 10 women becoming widows and while 21 children are fatherless.
“The Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and, by extension, the Nigerian 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,” he said.
He vowed that the army, in collaboration with its sister agencies, would ensure the perpetrators of the act are fished out and punished.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will not be deterred by setbacks such as witnessed in the Okuama community. 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,” he added.
Recall that the commanding officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, three other senior officers and 14 soldiers were ambushed and killed youths of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The personnel comprised one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers.
The officers were Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348).
The soldiers were SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); and LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290).
Others were LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079) and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).
