From Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), came a definite message on Wednesday to those involved in the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama, in Delta State, a fortnight ago – you can run, but you cannot hide – we will get you, wherever you are holing up.
Musa a General, who spoke at the burial ceremony of the fallen soldiers, held at the National Cemetery in Abuja, promised that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to justice, as nothing would be left undone to hunt them down from their hiding places.
The highest Nigerian military boss, said at the ceremony, supervised by President Bola Tinubu: “To the perpetrators of violence who seek to sow division and fear among our people, know this: our resolve will not waver. We will hunt you down, we will bring you to justice, and we will restore peace and security to every nook and cranny of our dear nation.”
The slain officers, including Lt. Col. A.H Ali, Commanding Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, were given posthumous honours by Tinubu, who announced other largesse, including houses for the families and scholarship up to university level for their children, including the unborn babies from their pregnant wives.
Ali, Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348), whose names had earlier been released by Defence Headquarters of the Nigerian Military, were awarded with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), while the other ranks, were given the award of the Officer of the Niger.
They included: 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); LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290); 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).
Taoreed Lagbaja, a Lieutenant General and Chief of Army Staff, who also spoke at the event, described the killing of military personnel as demoralizing, adding that it was sad that those responsible for their deaths were the same people the soldiers, who were on legitimate duty at the time of their death swore to protect.
Lamenting that that a total of 21 children had been orphaned and 10 women widowed by the actions of the culprits, Lagbaja, also, sought the cooperation of the community to apprehend the culprits of the heinous crime, while promising that neither the army nor the Nigerian people would abandon the families they left behind.
He said: “The Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and, by extension, the Nigeria state – 10 windows (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.”