- By Halimah Olamide
Four of the slain 17 soldiers have been posthumously conferred with the Member of the Order of Niger while the remaining 13 have been awarded Member, Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
This was just as President Bola Tinubu also announced that each family will be given a house in any part of Nigeria that they wish. These were the promises made on Wednesday by President Bola Tinubu during his address at the final burial in honour of the slain 17 soldiers.
NPO Reports that the soldiers were killed in Okuama Delta state two weeks ago when they were said to be on a peace mission.
“It is with heavy heart that I join you today to commit to earth, the remains of our officers and men who died in the course of duty on 14 March 2024 in Okuama Community, Delta State,” Tinubu said as he added that the officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats.
“Their sacrifice will be remembered and honoured for generations to come. On 14 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 peace makers and peace keepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities. They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns and other weapons.
“They were on a mission of peace.
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” He said
The president told the audience that the Chief of Army Staff had briefed him of the great exploits of Lt. Colonel Ali, saying he enjoyed 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 till the end. 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.
• 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,
“Each man now belongs to the hallowed list of servicemen and women who defended our country and protected their fellow Nigerians not minding the risk to their own lives,” the president said
He said he shared in the pain and grief the families carry today adding “It is my prayer that God will comfort all who are bereaved as a result of this tragedy.”