President Bola Tinubu has granted the 17 slain soldiers national honours of the member of the Order of Niger (MON) and The Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Tinubu made the offer at the burial ceremony of the soldiers on Wednesday in Abuja, saying Lieutenant Colonel AH Ali – commanding officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion; Major SD Shafa, Major DE Obi, Captain U Zakari would receive the MON awards while the 13 other non-commissioned soldiers would be given OFR.
He also approved scholarships for all the children of the diseased soldiers including those in the womb of their pregnant mothers up to university level.
The president also directed the Nigerian Army authorities to pay the entitlement of the dead soldiers to their families within 90 days from today.
In his address, President Tinubu said it was with heavy heart that he joins the Nigerian Armed forces, familes of the dead soldiers to bury the fallen heroes.
President Tinubu described the soldiers as “patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to protect Nigeria against internal and external aggression.
He said the sacrifice the soldiers made would be remembered and honoured, adding that the soldiers went to Okuama and Okolobia whut tanks and guns, just as he praised the late commander Lt.-Col Ha. Ali.
Tinubu said “we honour the sacrifice Ali and the other gallant soldiers who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price,” adding that “ I don’t take the contribution of the Armed Forces for granted. I honour your contribution to check kidnappings, banditry and other forms of insecurity in the country.”
The President said Nigerians must be reminded of the unfinished business of working for peace, adding that “we must end the circle of violence and bloodletting.
He vowed that the killers of the 17 military men will not go unpunished, saying “we will find them and our departed hero will get justice.”
The dead soldiers left behind ten widows among them four expectant mothers and 21 orphans as revealed by Gen. Lagbaja.
