President Bola Tinubu has announced scholarships up to the university level for all the children, including the unborn, of the Nigerian Army personnel killed in action at Okuama community in Delta State recently on March 14.
The President, who announced this at the funeral of the personnel at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, today, March 27, 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 houses in any part of the nation to the families of the four officers and thirteen soldiers.
At the event attended by some state governors, the military hierarchy, and families of the deceased, the President conferred 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 conferred with the honour of Member of the Order of Niger (MON).
President Tinubu vowed to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to account even as he commended the military for not embarking on a reprisal attack on the community.
“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.
“The elders and chiefs of Okuama also must help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.
“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.”
President Tinubu sympathized with the families of the fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces and prayed God Almighty to comfort the bereaved.
“It is worth restating the debt of gratitude we owe these valiant soldiers and their families.
“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognize your valour and bravery. I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers, and insurrectionists.
“While we continue to grieve for the courageous men we lost that day, let us also, on this solemn occasion, be reminded of the unfinished business of working for peace and harmony in our communities. We must begin to rebuild our communities and make them into places where love, tolerance, and harmony will reign.
‘‘Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting,” the President said.
President Tinubu advised the Armed Forces not to be discouraged by the death of their fellow compatriots but to honour their memory by rededicating themselves to the service and defence of the nation.
“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a message for you: Do not let the death of your compatriots discourage you.
‘‘There is no higher honour than the vocation you have chosen to pursue. We cherish you. We cherish your labour of love. We salute your daily sacrifice in protecting your fellow citizens from danger. We acknowledge your sacrifices to defend our nation.”
