President Bola Tinubu has agreed to have a proper burial for the 17 soldiers who died while on a peacekeeping mission in Delta State last week.
He also approved giving posthumous national awards to the soldiers who were killed.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, shared this information in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the President announced this while breaking the Ramadan fast with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the House leadership.
The President, while offering his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, promised that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would never be forgotten.
He stated that the officers would be given a proper burial and national awards.
”When they responded to calls for help, they tragically lost their lives. Let us make an effort to show sympathy and acknowledge the fact that they are deserving of the sacrifices they made for Nigeria.
”We honor all our men and women in uniform, and we sympathize with them. I will soon make further announcements, but they must have a proper burial and national awards,” the President said.
At least 16 Nigerian soldiers were killed while trying to stop clashes between two communities in the South-South state of Delta on Thursday.
Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd.) explained how 16 military personnel were killed in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
He said that the unsuspecting soldiers were attacked by residents of the community.
In response to the cruel act, the Nigerian Army, on Monday, stated that the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, where military personnel were killed, had turned to propaganda.
It refuted any form of retaliation on the community, as The PUNCH reported 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 criticized the community and emphasized that no amount of propaganda would prevent culprits from being captured, while the Defence Headquarters vowed that there would be serious consequences.
In his statements, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, emphasized the importance of forgiveness, generosity, and prayers during Ramadan and called for unity in the nation and support for President Tinubu.
”I want to encourage us to use this month to increase our good deeds and reduce our bad deeds,” he said.
Looking back on the 10 months of this administration, the Speaker noted that the executive and the legislature have continued to work together for the progress of the country.
”So far, the House has been very supportive of the President and his policies, and we will continue to ensure that we work together,” the Speaker said.
