The Nigerian Army says it has concluded all arrangements to give some of its personnel, who were killed-in-action in Okuama Community, Delta State, a befitting burial in Abuja on Wednesday.
The 17 deceased personnel, attached to 181 Amphibious Batallion, who will be buried at the National Cemetery, Abuja, by 3:00pm, were killed while on peace mission to the community, according to the military high command.
Trouble started on March 14, 2024 when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities, both in the South South State.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, had since directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime—the development that had made the residents of the community flee their homes.
Announcing the burial day on Tuesday, the spokesman of the Army, Onyema Nwachukwu, a Major-General, explained that President Bola Tinubu would be present as a Special Guest of Honour to pay last respect to the fallen heroes.
In an official notice sent to NewMailNG through Captain Audu Arigu, the army spokesman, the troops of the military attached to different operations would remain resolute in their constitutional duties.
He stated, “The burial ceremony of Nigerian Army personnel killed in action at Okuama Community, Delta State, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the National Cemetery, Abuja by 1500hrs (3:00pm).
“The President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the event.”