Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has extended maximum support to the grieving families of the 17 military personnel tragically murdered in the Okuoma community of Delta State.
The COAS made this pledge during the solemn burial ceremony held at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The soldiers, who were on a peacekeeping mission to resolve tensions between warring communities, fell victim to a brutal attack by residents of the Okuoma village on March 14, 2024.
The COAS condemned the barbaric act, expressing dismay at the mutilation of the soldiers’ bodies and the delay in their recovery.
Lt-General Lagbaja reiterated the Army’s unwavering commitment to apprehending the perpetrators and recovering all missing weapons.
He highlighted the heartbreaking reality that three of the widows of the fallen soldiers are pregnant, underscoring the profound impact of the tragedy on the families left behind.
Assuring the families of ongoing support from the Nigerian Army and the nation at large, Lt-General Lagbaja pledged not to abandon them in their time of need.
His assurances were echoed by President Bola Tinubu, who attended the ceremony as the Special Guest of Honour.
President Tinubu, alongside governors, federal lawmakers, military leaders, and dignitaries, paid tribute to the slain officers and soldiers by laying wreaths in their honor.
In a gesture of solidarity and compassion, President Tinubu announced comprehensive support measures for the families of the fallen heroes.
These measures include scholarships for all children of the slain soldiers, regardless of their stage of development, as well as housing assistance for the bereaved families anywhere in Nigeria.
President Tinubu further mandated the military to expedite the payment of benefits to the families within 90 days.
