•Army says slain soldiers left behind 21 children, 10 widows
As the army vows to hunt down assailants of 17 soldiers killed in Delta, mourning families left behind by the fallen heroes have also demanded justice for their loved ones, Solomon Odeniyi writes
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has vowed that those behind the death of military personnel in Delta would be hunted down.
This is as families mourn the death of their loved ones with many of them lamenting that they lost their breadwinners.
CDS Musa on Wednesday promised that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to justice. He spoke at the burial ceremony held for the slain soldiers in Abuja.
Musa said, “To the perpetrators of violence who seek to sow division and fear among our people, know this: our resolve will not waver. We will hunt you down, we will bring you to justice, and we will restore peace and security to every nook and cranny of our dear nation.”
While speaking at the burial ceremony for the slain personnel at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja which also had President Bola Tinubu in attendance, among other dignitaries, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, regretted that 21 children had been orphaned and 10 women widowed by the killing of the military personnel in Delta State.
He said out of the 10 widows, three of them are four, five, and eight months pregnant.
He noted that it was sad that those responsible for their deaths were those they swore to protect.
He said, “The Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and, by extension, the Nigeria state – 10 widows (three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant), 21 orphans, and many other dependents which include parents.
“While commiserating with the families of these gallant soldiers, I assure them that the Nigerian Army and the good people of this country will not leave them in the cold.
“We shall do all within our power to provide succour to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones.”
My son expecting a child –Late Captain Zakari’s father
Who are you to the deceased?
I am retired Warrant Officer Zakari Aliu, the father of the late Captain U. Zakari.
How would you describe your son?
He was a very obedient son. He was very, very obedient. As a father, anytime I spoke to him, he looked down. He doesn’t raise his head to look at my eyes. He was my first son. Since he joined the military, no accusing fingers were pointed at him by his colleagues. He stayed with me all through his schooling days.
When did he join the military?
After graduating from the university, he joined the Nigerian Army through a short-service combatant commission. Since he joined, I have never heard any bad thing against him. He joined the service in 2015.
Was he married?
He is married with no child yet. He was expecting one before his death. His wife is pregnant.
How did you feel when you received the news of his death?
It hurts me as a father when I heard it but it is something you cannot prevent.
What do you do for a living?
I was a soldier, too. I spent 35 years in service.
Based on this incident and your experience, would you allow any of your children to join the military?
Of course, I will still allow my son to join the military. What happened was an accident. I joined it and I finished successfully. I was untouched throughout my service year. This can happen to anyone at any time. It was an accident.
What would you like to be done to the culprits of this dastardly act?
I leave them in the hands of the Federal Government. They are already handling that.
Do you want anything from the government?
All I want is prayers. Nigerians should keep praying for us.
I don’t know who will take care of me as widow – Late Major Obi’s mum
What is your name?
I am Theresa Ukem, the mother of the late Major Obi.
How would you describe your late son?
Major Obi was a nice son to me. He was a very good man to everyone. He was good in all ways. I will miss him. I will miss Obi. I don’t know what will become of me. I don’t know who will take care of me as a widow. Obi, my son, is no more. Who will help me?
Was he married?
Yes, Obi has four children.
Do you have anything you need from the government?
I can only thank the government for all they have done for us – that they brought our son. I was able to bury him; I say thank you. God will reward all of you for what you have done for us.
What would you want the government to do to his killers?
I leave his killers in the hands of God and the country. It is God and the country that will fight the battle; I cannot fight it. As for me, I leave them with God.
We have lost our family’s breadwinner – Brother
What is your name?
My name is Ahmed Abutu.
Who are you to the deceased?
I am LCpl Abdul Ibrahim’s elder brother.
How would you describe your brother’s death?
It is a very sad thing for us. We have lost the family breadwinner. He was a man of peace and a Muslim to the core. He was a man who, if you don’t say go, won’t go. He respects everybody in the family. He was caring and ensured we were well taken care of when he was alive. This is a great loss to the family.
How did you receive the news of his death?
His death was not what we expected. We received the news with great shock.
He was not troublesome. He was not somebody you would find where he was not supposed to be found. So when the news came, it was so sad. His death is very painful to the family.
What do you think can be done to the family that would assuage your loss?
There is nothing that will compensate for the life of a man. He died fighting for this country, so that is our happiness. So if the government feels that this is what they can do, according to Mr President – that this is what they can do for the family, we appreciate him being the leader of the country.
What do you want done to the perpetrators?
For the perpetrators, a criminal is not supposed to live in society. So, anywhere they are, they should be fished out. Why must you take their lives? What are you taking them for? Our security agencies should go out day and night and ensure these people are brought to book. We will be very grateful for this.
My son was planning wedding – Mother
Who are you to the deceased?
I am Hanatu Hamman, mother of the late LCPL Peter Hamman.
How would you describe your son?
My son was my everything. He joined the Army to take care of me. He gave me money to feed and even to take care of my health. If anything happens to me and I call him, he would send money to me. Now that he is no more, I still give God the glory. I am in God’s hands now; I don’t have anyone to run to for help.
What is your message to soldiers serving the country?
Those soldiers left, may God help and protect them as they do their job.
Was your son Married?
No, but he was planning to get married before his death.