BlossomNigeria says it’s a step in the right direction as President Bola Tinubu says the federal government will provide scholarships up to the university level, for all the children, including the unborn, of the Nigerian Army personnel killed in action. The tragic incident occurred at Okuama community in Delta State.
The President made the announcement at the funeral of the slain personnel, at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday march 27. He directed the military authorities to ensure that the benefits of the departed are paid to their families within 90 days.
The President also declared that the federal government would provide a house in any part of the nation 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.
Lt Col Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, and Captain U. Zakari were given the award of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
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 honour of Member of the Order of Niger (MON).
It will be recalled that 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. The President noted that though they went as peacemakers, 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.
The President also noted that “Ali kept faith with his military, calling until the end”. He said “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”.
While commending the military for not embarking on a reprisal attack on the community, the President declared: “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”.
He added that the elders and chiefs of Okuama community, must also help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against the men.
BlossomNigeria trusts that the federal government will go beyond mere promises to ensure the full execution of its promises to the families of the slain soldiers and the entire military. Nigerians indeed, applaud their heroic acts.
