Metele Attack: Army buries 19 soldiers
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| Soldiers carrying their dead colleagues for burial in Maiduguri on Friday |
A total of 19 Soldiers were on Friday buried by Nigerian Army in Maiduguri amidst an emotional ceremony.
The buried soldiers were said to be those killed by Boko Haram at a dastardly attack on a military formation, 157 Task Force Battalion, Metele, on Nov. 18 in Guzamala Local Government Area, Borno.
It will be recalled that the army in an official figure said 23 soldiers
were killed and 31 others wounded but unofficial figures were put at
over 100 soldiers.
The
Commander of the Battalion, Lt. Col. IA Sakaba was among the fallen
heroes who were laid to rest at the Military Cemetery, Maimalari
Cantonment, Maiduguri along with his 18 galant soldiers under the officiation of Muslim and Christian Chaplains.
The
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the incident was
tragic, while praising the soldiers for their supreme sacrifice in defense of the nation’s territorial integrity.
The
COASS who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, Chief, Army
Training and Operations, said that the setback would not deter the
troops from their commitment to defeat the terrorists.
Buratai
reaffirmed the determination of the Nigerian Army to end insurgency;
protect lives and property as well as restore peace to the North-East.
He
promised that military authorities would take care of the families of
the deceased in line with its welfare scheme, and prayed for the repose
of their souls.
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| Top military officers performing the burial rites |
“President
Muhammad Buhari administration’s is committed to the improvement of
soldiers’ welfare and provision of equipment to ensure successful
campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents.
“The
military will collaborate with sister security organizations in the
counter-insurgency operation,” he said, and called on the troops to be
disciplined and not relent in routing remnants of the insurgents.
He
assured that the military authorities will deploy additional personnel
and equipment to the theatre of operation, to facilitate successful
implementation of the counter insurgency campaign.
Lt.
Gen. Buratai encouraged the people to shun fake news and support the
military to enable it win the war against the Boko Haram terrorists.
In
his remarks, Deputy Governor of Borno, Alhaji Mamman Durkwa, said the
state government appreciated the sacrifices of the security agencies to
bringing peace in the state.
Durkwa promised that Borno State Government would support the families of the fallen heroes to improve their wellbeing.
He asked God to comfort the bereaved families and prayed for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes.
Top
military officers, government officials, representatives of the Shehu
of Borno and family members of the deceased were present at the
ceremony.
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