Four Army officers and soldiers murdered in Okuoma Community, Delta State made additional 10 widows, including three pregnant women and 21 Orphans to the Nigerian Army duty care scheme.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja said three of widows who are four, five, and eight months pregnant, have been added to the care of the Army by extension.
Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja revealed this at the military Cemetery, Abuja where in slain Army personnel were killed on March 14 communal clash over a land dispute between Okuoma and Okolo Communities in Ughelli North Local government Area of Delta were honoured by Nigeria government.
The victims were attached to the 181 Amphibious Battalion of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army who were on a peace mission when they were ambushed and killed by irate youths in a communal clash with Okolo Community.
The COAS said, “Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian army and, by extension, the Nigeria state, 10 widows, three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant, 21 orphans, and many other dependents, including 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 succour to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones,” according to him.
Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja also promised that Nigerian Army will not preserve the memories of fallen heroes and will not leave their dependants and loved ones they left behind in the cold.
He commended Nigerians for their solidarity and other prominent Citizens,. especially President Bola Tinubu for standing behind the Armed Forces in difficult times.
The Army Chief assured that the personal belongings of the slain soldiers and officers that were carted away by their assailants who will not go unpunished, alongside their weapons will be recovered.
Delivering his goodwill message earlier, President Bola Tinubu, approved federal government scholarship to Children of the deceased from Basic to tertiary levels, including those in their mothers wombs.
The President who also offered housing Units to families of the slain military personnel, vowed that the murders of the military personnel will not go unpunished, and commended the role of Nigerian military.
TheNewspad reports that Colonel M. A Dogo and Lt. Colonel M. A Abbas officiated the faith Service where bodies of the slain soldiers were consecrated by Priests who also offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed.
Gunshots salute by military preceded the the dust to dust rites by next of kins to the slain personnel at the Cemetery where tears flowed freely.
Also, close relatives of the slain military personnel and Governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Kano, Imo, Kwara and Kogi States alongside, heads of military agencies in Nigeria who were present at the solemn event, took turn to pay their tributes to the personnel and thereafter laid reeves at the gravesite.
Leave a Reply