President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid a last respect to 17 military personnel viciously murdered at the Okuoma in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State as they were laid to rest.
The soldiers were barbarically murdered while on a peace keeping mission to intercede in the lingering dispute between Okuoma and Okoloba Community, in Delta State on March 14, 2024.
Speaking at the funeral, Tinubu announced the award of posthumous national honour to the deceased brave soldiers.
“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.”
The President reiterated that the perpetrators of the evil must be fished out. He directed the chiefs and elders of Okuoma community to assist the military in seeing that the culprits don’t go unpunished.
The Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces also praised the military personnel for choosing not to retaliate on Okuama or its neighbouring communities.
In his words “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.
“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 must help the military fish 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 its neighbouring communities.
“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.”
The Nigerian government also gave the families of the slain soldier’s houses, he also approved scholarship for their children even those in the womb. At the same time, the President ordered the military to pay the slain soldiers’ benefits to their family members within 90 days.
“We now must 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.”
Dignitaries at the funeral include governors, federal lawmaker, top military personnel amongst others.
