It was a solemn occasion as a top military commander and other six soldiers killed by Boko Haram were buried on Monday.
The slain soldiers' families attended the burial ceremony
The Commanding Officer of the 272 Special Task Force Task
Battalion, Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu-Ali and six troops who were killed
during a Boko Haram attack at Mallam Fatori on November 4, 2016, were
given a national burial at the military cemetery, Abuja on Monday.
Family members, top politicians and military officers were in
attendance alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, as
who described the death of the officers as a great loss.
The other killed military personnel comprising five Army personnel
and a Naval seaman were Staff Sgt. Muazu Ibrahim, Sgt. Husseini Jafaru,
Sgt. Okon Bassey, Cpl. Chukwu Simon, PTE Salishu Lawal, and Able Seaman
Patrick Paul.
According to a Punch report, it took the Chief of Army Staff a lot
of efforts and a visible struggle with emotions amidst tears, with
cracking voice, to read the brief funeral oration of the fallen
warriors.
Buratai, amidst intermittent sob, said that they were “inducted
into the Operation Lafiya Dole in 2014 to form the pivot of counter
insurgency efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the North-East.”
He said that the soldiers, who were members of the 119 Task Force
Battalion and the Armed Forces Special Forces, took the battle to the
insurgents and recovered several territories from them.
According to him, “The brave, precise, professional and inspiring” troops recovered
Monguno, Baga, New Marte, Bama, Gwoza, Banki Junction, Gamboru
Ngala, Yale, Yemteke, Bitam, Doronaira, Kagarwa, Ärrege, Abadam, and
Mallam Fatori from the Boko Haram sect.
“In these battles, they rescued women, and children, fathers
and mothers, the young and the old and restore peace and order to
Nigerian citizens.
“At last on November 4, 2016, they paid the supreme sacrifice
in the battle of Mallam Fatori. These men epitomise the best of our
military. They exemplified the values of our nation and our military,
with their loyalty, discipline, courage selfless service, respect,
honour and dignity.
“They left behind wives, children, as well as parents and
dependants. They fought for the unity of our nation; our brave and
gallant compatriots, your families and comrades will miss you. The
entire nation will miss you but be rest assured that your labour will
never be in vain.
“Serkin Yarkin, the frontline general, you and your men have
fought a good fight, you always told them to pray, stay alert, and stay
alive. You will always be alive in our memories, we shall continue to
pray for you, we shall continue to pray for you all, and we shall remain
alert for you, for the cause you have laid your life for.
“Your loved ones will remain in our care and their welfare will
be of utmost priority at all times. You have fought a good cause and we
are rest assured that your souls rest in perfect peace with almighty in
Paradise.”
President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by his Chief of
Staff, Abba Kyari, said that the gallantry and the dedication displayed
by the deceased soldiers and their colleagues contributed to the
restoration of peace and normalcy in the North-East.
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