Nigerian Army Bury 15 Soldiers Killed By Boko Haram In North-east Battle As if set for military parade, 15 caskets, caps, freshly dug graves, wheelbarrows loaded with red sand and the remains of 15 officers and men of the Nigerian Army killed in the line of duty, after the traditional 21 gun salute, were yesterday buried. Meanwhile, the Army Thursday said it strongly believed in the unity of the country despite security challenges facing her. The assurance is coming in the heels of the release of a Lebanese attached to Setraco Construction Company, Toni Yosse who was kidnapped by gunmen three weeks ago in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Two majors, Abdullahi Kanoma and A.T Fambiyi, one Staff sergeant, two corporals, four lance corporals, one lance bombardier and five privates of the Nigeria Army were the ones honoured and buried. President Jonathan represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the calling of a soldier “is a hazardous job and moments like this are bound to come” but we must not loss focus on the bigger picture and put our acts together and defeat the enemy”. These “gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in order for the country to remain one. We have continued to improve capacity of our security agencies to tackle the current challenges of insecurity in the country, posed by insurgency. The burial today is an indication that we are winning the war”, he added. The Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika while commending the devotion of the officers to duty and high sense of responsibility, said “for paying the supreme sacrifice, these courageous officers and soldiers have made us and indeed every Nigerian proud. Undeniably, the gallantry and high sense of professionalism displayed by these gentlemen have contributed to the restoration of peace and normalcy to the Northern part of Nigeria.” “We are laying to rest 15 heroes comprising two officers and 13 soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of our dear nation. Eleven of these heroes lost their lives in operations in the North East, three were killed in operations in other parts of the North and one died while serving on peace keeping mission with the United Nations Mission in Darfur, Sudan,” Ihejirika said. While maintaining that the Defence Ministry was proud of the departed soldiers, the Minister of State Defence, Olusola Obada said their death was not in vain as it to ensure that the country remains.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 04:40:36 +0000
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