Okuama killings: Tinubu, govs pay final respects as military buries 17 gallant soldiers

President Tinubu honours fallen military officers and soldiers in emotional address at their burial at National Cemetery in Abuja.

The President was the Special Guest of Honour at the inauspicious occasion at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.

The soldiers were murdered by vicious criminals of the riverine Okuama village on March 14, 2024 when the men in uniform were on a peace mission to warring Okuama and Okoloba communities in the area.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla were present to pay final respects for the fallen heroes.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas led members of the both upper and lower chambers to honour the slain military personnel.

In a heartfelt gesture of support and solidarity, Tinubu  offered scholarships to the children of 17 soldiers. He also said the Government will provide housing for the families of the military men.

Four  military officers, Lt.Col Ali, Major Obi, SD Ashafa and Captain Zakari earned the posthumous award of Member of the Order of the Niger(MON).

Sergeant Yahaya Sule got Federal Republic Medal 1, while the rest got Federal Republic Medal 11.

Read  Tinubu in full:

It is with heavy heart that I join you today to commit to earth, the remains of our officers and men who died in the course of duty on 14 March 2024 in Okuama Community, Delta State.

The officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats. Their sacrifice will be remembered and honoured for generations to come and their.

On 14 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.

They went as peace makers and peace keepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.

They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns and other weapons.

They were on a mission of peace.

Before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff briefed me, enjoyed great operational exploits; fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.

Ali kept faith with his military calling till the end.

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.

• Lieutenant Colonel Ali,

• Major D.E Obi,

• Major S.D. Ashafa,

• Captain U. Zakari,

• Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu,

• Corporal Danbaba Yahaya,

• Corporal Kabir Bashir,

• Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim,

• Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna,

• Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi,

• Lance Corporal Bello Anas;

• Private Alhaji Isah,

• Private Clement Francis,

• Private Abubakar Ali,

• Private Adamu Ibrahim,

• Private Hamman Peter, and

• Private Ibrahim Adamu,

Each man now belongs to the hallowedlist of servicemen and women who defended our country and protected their fellow Nigerians not minding the risk to their own lives.

They have all been awarded posthumous national honours. The four gallant Officershave been accorded the Award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON). The thirteen courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded  the Federal Republic Medal.

I commiserate with the families of our fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces. I share in the pain and grief you carry today. It is my prayer that God will comfort all who are bereaved as a result of this tragedy.

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 recognise 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 endthe cycle of violence and bloodletting.

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 Okuoma also have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.

I wish to also commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or itsneighbouring communities. We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuoma are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them.

To the entire 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.

Within our continent, our sub-region and across the world, the Nigerian Military has remained a force for good, embodying a great example and keeping our democracy safe.

It is now our duty to protect the families of our departed heroes.

The Federal Government will provide a house in any part of our country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

The Federal Government has also approved scholarships to all the children of the deceased up to the University level.

The Military must, within the next ninety days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.

May the families of the departed  and all their loved ones find the strength to bear the pain of this loss.

May God grant our heroes eternal rest.

May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep our troops safe, always.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria