Delta killings: Tinubu grants scholarship, free housing to families of slain soldiers

…Tasks community chiefs to aid military in fishing out killers

The 17 soldiers who were slain by criminal elements in Okuama community in Delta State about three weeks ago have been conferred with posthumous national honours by President Bola Tinubu.

The dead soldiers were buried at the National Cemetery, Abuja yesterday, Wednesday, in a solemn ceremony, where the award was conferred.

The Special assistant to President Tinubu on social media, Dada Olusegun disclosed this.

While 13 officers were awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), the four ranking officers amongst them were awarded with the Member of the Order of Niger (MON).

The 17 soldiers had gone to Okuama, Delta State on a peacekeeping mission when criminal elements ambushed and shot them, and also beheaded them

The President also announced that his government will grant scholarship for all the children left behind by the fallen heroes full educational scholarships to University level including the ones still in the womb of their mothers.

Speaking at the funeral, President Tinubu described the officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day as 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.

“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.

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

“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.”

The President further described the spate of insecurity and terrorism as an unfinished business noting that the nation must begin to rebuild her 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 President charged.

He also called on the elders and chiefs of Okuoma to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.

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 but they were ambushed by unknown gunmen.