President Bola Tinubu has once again reiterated that killers of 17 soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Delta State on March 14 will not go unpunished as he has mandated security agencies to go after them and make them pay for their crimes.
An angry President Tinubu, who made the renewed vow during the burial of the slain soldiers at the National Cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday, assured their families, colleagues and Nigerians that those who perpetrated the dastardly attacks on the military personnel would be made to face the full weight of the law.
In his address at the solemn event, Tinubu declared that leaders in Delta State where the soldiers were ambushed, abducted and killed, must fish out the killers.
“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities,” President Tinubu said.
“They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns, or other weapons. They were on a mission of peace. They kept faith with their military calling until the end.
“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 have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.”
President Tinubu also conferred national honours on the fallen soldiers, noting that they would forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of the gallant patriots who died that day,” he said.
“Therefore, the Commander-in-Chief posthumously conferred the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) on the late Commanding Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. Abdullahi Ali; Major Salihu Shafa; Major Daniel Obi and Captain Usman Zakari,” Tinubu declared.
He also conferred the honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on the rank and file soldiers including Sgt Yahaya Saidu; Corporal Yahaya Danbaba; Corporal Kabiru Bashir; Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna; Lance Corporal Sola Opeyemi; Lance Corporal Bello Anas; Lance Corporal Hamman Peter; Lance Corporal Ibrahim Abdullahi; Private Alhaji Isah; Private Clement Francis; Private Abubakar Ali; Private Ibrahim Adamu and Private Adamu Ibrahim.
“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.
“They have all been awarded posthumous national honours. The four gallant Officers have been accorded the Award of Member of the Order of Niger, MON.
“The thirteen courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic Medal.”
He also announced government’s plans for the surviving widows, children agd relatives of the slain soldiers.
“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 for all the children of the deceased up to the university level. The military must, within the next 90 days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families,” the President added.