According to Channels TV, on Wednesday evening, there was a deeply emotional gathering as grieving families and friends of 17 brave military personnel, who were brutally murdered in Delta State, paid their respects by laying wreaths in their honor. Following the wreath-laying ceremony, tears flowed freely as the lifeless bodies of the courageous military personnel, housed in white caskets adorned with Nigeria's green-white-green colors, were laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja. After the religious rites were conducted, inconsolable family members of the fallen heroes tearfully said their painful farewells during the dust-to-dust ritual, bidding goodbye to their loved ones and providers.
Grieving families of the military personnel pay final respects
President Bola Tinubu, serving as the Special Guest of Honour, led a group of governors, federal lawmakers, military leaders, dignitaries, and others in paying their final respects to the fallen heroes who were brutally killed by criminals in the riverine Okuama village on March 14, 2024. The soldiers were on a peace mission to mediate conflicts between the Okuama and Okoloba communities in the area.
High-ranking military officials, including 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 also present to honor the fallen heroes.
Furthermore, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas led members from both the upper and lower chambers in paying their respects.
Bodies of slain military personnel arrived the National Military Cemetery, Abuja for burial on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Photo: Channels Television/Sodiq Adelakun
Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (Kwara), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) were also in attendance to honor the slain military personnel.
Governors at the burial.
The President arrived at the solemn gathering precisely at 04:10 pm to pay tribute to the bravery of the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Following the initial proceedings, including prayers, the placement of military items on the coffins containing the bodies of the fallen soldiers, and the bugle call, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja lamented the loss of the "brave heroes." He expressed deep sorrow over the fact that the very citizens the soldiers sought to safeguard ended up being their assailants.
Soldiers killed in Okuama, Delta State.
The 17 personnel — the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 12 personnel of the battalion — were buried at 6pm after funeral rites.
COAS Assures Pregnant Widows, Families Of Support.
The COAS described the killing of the soldiers as “most barbaric”, saying it took 72 hours after the unfortunate incident to recover the mutilated bodies of the slain soldiers.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, condemned the killing of the soldiers as "extremely barbaric," noting that it took 72 hours after the tragic incident to recover the mutilated bodies of the deceased soldiers. Lt-General Lagbaja reiterated the Army's determination to hold the perpetrators of this atrocious act accountable and retrieve all missing weapons. He also mentioned that three of the widows of the slain soldiers are expecting children. He assured the families of the fallen soldiers that they would receive full support from the Nigerian Army.
He said, “The Okuoma killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and by extension, the Nigerian State, 10 widows, three of whom are four, five and eight months’ pregnant, 21 orphans and many other dependents which include parents. While commiserating with the families of these gallants soldiers, I assure them that the Nigerian Army and the good people of this country will not leave them in the cold.”
Grieving families of the military personnel pay final respects
‘We Will Hunt You Down’
General Musa pledged that the military would pursue the individuals responsible for the atrocious act and ensure they face legal consequences.
“To the perpetrators of this violence, who seek to sow divisions among our people, take this from me – our resolve will not wither, we will hunt you down, we will bring you to justice and we will restore peace and security in every nook and cranny of our dear nation. Your evil actions may cause pain and suffering but they will never extinguish the spirit of unity and resilience that burns within us,” the CDS said.
To the slain soldiers, he said: “We will honour your memory by continuing to fight those who seek to undermine our peace and security. We will remain steadfast in our resolve to build a nation worthy of you sacrifice. This sacrifice will not go in vain.”
President Bola Tinubu at the burial of 17 slain soldiers in Abuja on March 27, 2024. Photo: Channels Television/Sodiq Adelakun
‘National Awards, Scholarships, Houses’
President Bola Tinubu, serving as the Special Guest of Honour, led a group consisting of governors, federal lawmakers, high-ranking military officials, and dignitaries in laying wreaths to honor the fallen officers and soldiers.
The President reassured the families of the soldiers of comprehensive support, including approving scholarships for all children of the deceased soldiers, even those yet to be born. Additionally, he sanctioned the provision of houses for the families of the deceased military personnel anywhere in Nigeria. The President directed the military to disburse all benefits to the families of the fallen officers and soldiers within 90 days.
Tinubu said, “They have all been awarded now a posthumous national honour. The four gallant officers have been accorded the awards of the Members of the Order of Nigeria (MON), The 13 courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been awarded the Officers of the Federal Republic medals.”
While offering condolences to the families of the deceased military personnel, the President emphasized that the government's determination to apprehend the perpetrators remains steadfast and unwavering.
“They won’t go unpunished. We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice,” the President vowed.
Last Journey
The slain military personnel had responded to a distress call regarding a communal land dispute when they were brutally murdered. The decapitated bodies of the slain soldiers were later found in a neighboring river, while others had their stomachs and hearts ripped out.
The horrifying killings have prompted widespread condemnation from Nigerian authorities. Tinubu characterized the incident as an assault on the nation and directed security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the attack. The President also announced that the fallen military personnel would be posthumously honored with national awards.
Both the Senate, along with civil society organizations, have denounced the barbaric murder of the soldiers and called for the arrest and prosecution of the culprits.