President Bola Tinubu has approved what he called a befitting burial for the 17 soldiers who were killed while on a peacekeeping mission in Delta State last week.
This was as he approved the conferment of post-houmous national honours on the slain soldiers.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday
According to the statement, the President made the pronouncement while breaking the Ramadan fast with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the House leadership.
The President, while expressing his heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved, pledged that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would never be in vain.
He announced that the officers would be given a befitting burial and national honours.
”In responding to distress calls, they met the end of their lives in a savage manner. Let us work to sympathise and symbolise the fact that they are worth the sacrifices they have made for Nigeria.
”We salute all our men and women in uniform, and we sympathise with them. I will soon make further pronouncements, but they must have a befitting burial and national honours”, the President said.
No fewer than 16 Nigerian soldiers were killed while on a mission to douse clashes between two communities in the South-South state of Delta on Thursday.
Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd.) revealed how 16 military personnel were murdered in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
He stated that the unsuspecting soldiers were ambushed by residents of the community.
Reacting to the dastardly act, the Nigerian Army, on Monday, said the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State where military personnel were killed, had resorted to propaganda.
It denied any form of reprisal on the community, as The PUNCH gathered that about 20 suspects have been arrested.
Also on Monday, the Defence headquarters released the names of the Army personnel who were killed on Thursday, during a peace mission to Okuama.
The military slammed the community and stressed that no amount of propaganda would stop culprits from being nabbed, while the Defence Headquarters vowed that there would be injurious consequences.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, emphasised the importance of forgiveness, generosity, and prayers during Ramadan and called for unity in the nation and support for President Tinubu.
”I want to urge us to use this month to increase our good deeds and minimise our bad deeds”, he said.
Reflecting on the 10 months of this administration, the Speaker noted that the executive and the legislature have continued to work in synergy for the progress of the country.
”So far, so good, the House has been very supportive of the President and his policies, and we shall continue to ensure that we work together”, the Speaker said.
