Tinubu confers national honours on slain Delta soldiers
At the burial in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu announced that the federal government would provide a house to the families of each of the 17 soldiers who died. The location of the house might be anywhere in Nigeria.
Mr. Tinubu further said that he would provide scholarships to all the offspring of the deceased, covering their education up to the university level.
“The military must, within the next ninety days, ensure the prompt disbursement of all benefits owed to the families of the deceased,” stated the Nigerian leader.
Tinubu awarded the posthumous national title of Member of the Order of the Niger to Lt. Col. A.H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, as well as Maj. S.D. Shafa (N/13976), Maj. D.E. Obi (N/14395), and Capt. U. Zakari (N/16348).
The following individuals also received the title of Officer of the Order of the Niger. SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290); LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079); and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).
While awarding the medals, he declared, “These individuals now join the revered roster of military personnel who safeguarded our nation and shielded their fellow Nigerians, regardless of the peril to their own lives.”All of them have received posthumous national honours.
The four courageous officers have been honoured with the prestigious Member of the Order of Niger (MON) award. The 13 valiant troops who also perished have been honoured with the Officer of the Federal Republic Medal.
He noted that people would always remember the fallen soldiers as brave people who fulfilled their duty and made the ultimate sacrifice.
Tinubu stated that the individuals travelled to the location with the intention of promoting peace and maintaining peace, while also aiming to resolve the conflicts between the two groups.
“They refrained from deploying tanks, machine guns, and other weaponry.” They were engaged in a peaceful endeavour. Ali remained steadfast in his commitment to his military duty to the very end.
“In representation of a thankful country, we pay tribute to the selfless acts of Ali and the other courageous individuals who perished on that day.”
Tinubu further disclosed the government’s intentions to support the surviving relatives by offering them residential property in any location inside our nation. Each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers would be provided with this assistance by the
federal government.
By Nnaemeka Odenigbo
