In a solemn ceremony, the mortal remains of military personnel who tragically lost their lives in Delta State have been laid to rest at the revered National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
The arrival of the fallen heroes took place at approximately 2:39 pm, as a convoy of ambulance vehicles transported them to their final resting place.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on March 14 when a group of enraged youths in the Okuama community mercilessly attacked a military detachment, resulting in the untimely deaths of four officers and 13 soldiers. The root cause of the violence can be traced back to a longstanding territorial dispute between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both claiming ownership of a contested land on their shared border.
The fallen officers have been identified as Lt. Col. A.H Ali, the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976), Maj D.E Obi (N/14395), and Capt U Zakari (N/16348). Their unwavering dedication and sacrifice in the line of duty will forever be remembered.
The fallen soldiers, who paid the ultimate price to protect their nation, are 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).
The nation mourns the loss of these brave soldiers who selflessly defended their country. Their sacrifice serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the military in ensuring peace and security within our borders.