…. President Promises Justice
By Olawale Lamina
President Bola Tinubu has promised federal government scholarships, up to the university level to all the children, including the unborn, of the Nigerian Army personnel killed in line of duty at Okuama community in Delta State.
The President stated this during the burial of the slain soldiers which took place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The Commander-in-Chief directed the military authorities to ensure that benefits accruable to the departed are paid to their families within a period of 90 days.
Tinubu also pledged that government would provide a house in any part of the country to each of the families of the four officers and thirteen soldiers.
At the solemn event attended by some state governors, the military hierarchy, and families of the deceased, the President bestowed posthumous National Honours on the 17 fallen heroes.
The departed officers, L.t Col Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, and Captain U. Zakari were accorded the award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON).
Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Abdullahi Ibrahim, Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Private Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Adamu Ibrahim, Hamman Peter, and Ibrahim Adamu, were awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic Medal (OF
A release from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said: “On the 14th of March, Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community.
“”They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.
“They did not go with tanks, machine guns, and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.
“Before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff narrated to me, achieved great operational exploits; fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.
“Ali kept faith with his military calling until the end.”
The President assured that the gallant personnel and officers will be remembered as heroes “who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.”
Reaffirming government’s commitment to justice, President Tinubu vowed to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime that led to the killing of the officers to account.
He acknowledged the military for not embarking on a reprisal attack on the community and stressed that those behind the heinous crime will not go unpunished. “We will find them, and our departed heroes will get justice,” Tinubu said
He called on the elders and chiefs of Okuama to assist the military in fishing out the perpetrators of the barbaric act.
“I wish to commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks on Okuama or its neighbouring communities. We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuama are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them,” the President stated.
President Tinubu, while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces, prayed God Almighty to comfort the bereaved.
“
“
“
‘‘
.
“
‘‘
(
About The Author
