The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dennis Otuaro, PhD, joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in paying tribute to the 17 soldiers who lost their lives in the Okuama community tragedy in Delta State approximately two weeks ago.
Expressing profound sadness over the incident, Otuaro pledged his support to the president in ensuring lasting peace. He extended heartfelt condolences to the military and the bereaved families.
According to GbaramatuVoice, the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, along with three other senior officers and 14 soldiers, fell victim to an ambush by enraged youths of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on March 14, 2024.
Among the fallen Army personnel were Lt. Col. AH Ali, Major SD Shafa, Major DE Obi, Capt. U Zakari, and Sgt. Yahaya Saidu, along with others including Cpl Yahaya Danbaba, Cpl Kabir Bashir, LCpl Bulus Haruna, LCpl Sole Opeyemi, LCpl Bello Anas, LCpl Hamman Peter, LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi, Pte Alhaji Isah, Pte Clement Francis, Pte Abubakar Ali, Pte Ibrahim Adamu, and Pte Adamu Ibrahim.
During the burial ceremony held at the National Military Cemetery on Airport Road in Abuja on Wednesday evening, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces announced the government’s commitment to providing homes for the families of the fallen heroes anywhere in the country, along with educational scholarships for their children and future generations.
Those present at the burial ceremony were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief George Akume, Governors of Delta state Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa’s Douye Diri, Kano’s Abba Kabiru Yusuf, Imo’s Hope Uzodinma and Usman Ododo of Kogi state.
Others were Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, Minister of State for Defence Mohammed Bello Matawalle, top senior military officers, relations and sympathisers of the fallen heroes, among others.
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