Again, Nigeria mourns

Thirteen soldiers including two majors were killed in the North-East region, where they were deployed to tackle the Boko Haram insurgents under ‘Operation Boyona’, following the proclamation of  a state of emergency by President Jonathan in May this year. They were among hundreds of soldiers sent to the affected states of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno, […]

Thirteen soldiers including two majors were killed in the North-East region, where they were deployed to tackle the Boko Haram insurgents under ‘Operation Boyona’, following the proclamation of  a state of emergency by President Jonathan in May this year. They were among hundreds of soldiers sent to the affected states of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno, which were found to be hideouts for the insurgent’s. The soldiers have successfully chased away the terrorists from their camps and seized weapons and explosives. In some of the camps stolen vehicles were found, while other camps were burnt by the insurgents before  they fled to the bushes and neighbouring countries.
The two remaining soldiers were killed in separate operations; one in the United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Sudan and the other was killed in line of duty in an undisclosed part of the country. All the 15 soldiers were said to have been killed between May and July ,and their remains were preserved for a state funeral.
The soldiers included Major A.T Fambiya 32, from Gwoza, Borno State (killed in the North-East), Major Abdulmumini Kanoma 43, from Maru, Zamfara state (killed in the North-East), Staff Sergeant Keku Adebayo 40, from Ijebu East, Ogun state (killed in the North-East), Corporal Ahmed Usman 35, from Bauchi, Bauchi state (killed in North-East), Corporal Mathew Ade (North-East), Lance Corporal Adamu Ibrahim 31, from Jere Borno state (Killed under the UNAMID), Lance Corporal Suleiman Gimba 37, from Zangon Kataf, Kaduna state (killed in North-East), Lance Corporal Salisu Sadauki  33, from Charanchi Katsina state (killed in North-East), Lance Bombardier Usman David 37, from Borno state, and Lance Corporal Ajani Olusola 27, from Aiyedire Osun state.
Others are Private soldiers Zakariya Dauda 25, from Romi Kaduna state, Trooper Daniel Kantoma 25, from Jos North, Plateau state, Trooper Nya Bassey 28, from Odukpani Calabar, Cross River state (killed in North-East), Trooper Bassey Emmanuel 21 (killed in North-East), and Trooper Enyenihi Effiong 25 from Akwa Ibom state (killed in North-East).
The 15 fallen soldiers were conveyed to the National Military Cemetery, Abuja from the National Hospital, in about five ambulances. The name of each corpse was written on the casket.  They were later lined up in order of precedence, starting with the two majors. Each corpse was later taken to its grave by former course mates, a tradition held so dear by the armed forces; for that is the highest form of support they can render to a deceased course mate.
The three clergymen in the army were invited to say prayers for the dead soldiers belonging to their respective congregations, starting with the Chaplain of the Roman Catholic church, Reverend Father Major C.C. Nwachukwu, who quoted verses of the Holy Bible, explaining the essence creation by  the Almighty  and  the inescapability of death, actually to mollify the mourners and the immediate family, saying “Man that is born of woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.”
The Chaplain of the Protestants, Reverend Major J. W Danladi, later prayed for the deceased and also read parts of the Holy Bible giving details about creation and death.
The Chief Imam of the Army Headquarters Garrison Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Auwal too, conducted the Islamic version of funeral prayers starting with verse 156 chapter 2 (Al-Baqara) in the Holy Qur’an saying ‘surely we belong to God and to Him we return’ (three times). Thereafter the Imam directed soldiers (burial party) to remove all Muslim corpses from coffins and to be laid in the inner chamber of the grave wrapped in sheets of clean, white clothes, according to Islamic tradition. This was done in the presence of family members.
Each of the 15 coffins was initially covered with a fabric in national colours (green-white-green) while the caps and the boots of the deceased soldier inside were placed on top ,and later removed before the burial. Each of the fabric (resembling the  national flag) was folded and handed to the Army Chief of Administration, Major General M.D Abubakar who will hand them over to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika . Ihejirika will later hand them over to the dependants.
Invited dignitaries, journalists, family members, top military officers  and soldiers were seated  while the clergymen were saying prayers. The pains of the mourners apparently mounted when the dependants of the deceased soldiers were called one by one, and given the national flag removed from the coffins of their loved ones. Two of the dependants were too young to be on familiar terms with the essence of the event, and when it was their turn to collect the flag, most of the mourners cried openly. Hauwa Salisu 6, and Jacob Daniel 4, received the flags for Corporal Sadauki and Trooper Kantoma respectively.
President Jonathan represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo said “we are gathered here on a sad note to bury our gallant officers who died in service. The loss is regretted, but we are winning the war on terror. Military profession is a hazardous job and in event like this you must have casualties and even deaths. As we bury them, we shall still be strategizing.”
He said he had consulted with the Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, and the army chief, Lieutenant General Ihejirika on effective payment of monies to any next-of-kin, adding that the entitlements will be paid soon.
Minister of State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada said Nigerians must see the death of the soldiers “as a call to duty to serve humanity, and we must not let the sacrifices be in vain. As we continue to confront the present security challenges in some parts of our country, we must emulate the selflessness, courage and commitment exhibited by the late soldiers.”
Army Chief Ihejirika said “As we all know, the military profession is a hazardous one, and in any armed conflict, casualties are bound to occur, some of which may result in the supreme sacrifice. Therefore, when it occurs, it is incumbent upon us to honour and accord our departed colleagues the highest and last solemn respect.
“Today, we are laying to rest 15 heroes comprising 2 officers and 13 soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of our dear nation. Eleven of these heroes lost their lives in operations in the North East, 3 were killed in operations in other parts of the North, and one died while serving on a peace keeping mission with the United Nations Mission in Darfur, Sudan.  These heroes were outstanding throughout their career with marked sense of responsibility, doggedness, devotion to duty and commitment to global peace.”
The chief sympathised with the families of the dead soldiers ,adding that their deaths will not in any way demoralize the military and other Nigerians in the fight against  terror.
“Let me state that for paying the supreme sacrifice, these courageous officers and soldiers have made us, and indeed every Nigerian, proud. Undeniably, the gallantry and high sense of professionalism displayed by these gentlemen have contributed to the restoration of peace and normalcy to the Northern part of Nigeria.  It is therefore our resolve that the labour of these fallen heroes shall never be in vain.  We will remain spurred by their zeal and gallant efforts to ensure that terrorism and insurgency are defeated, so that our country can enjoy the much desired peace and progress.
“For the families of the departed here with us, and the families of those our colleagues earlier buried in accordance with Islamic rites, I must state that no amount of compensation can replace the lives of these valiant heroes.  We share with you all, this moment of grieve, and we will do everything possible to assuage the sense of loss. Let me assure you that the Nigerian Army will ensure that the next of kins of these deceased personnel get all their deserved benefits and timely too.”
Reverend Iliya Joshua was the next-of-kin of Major Fambiya,  and the representative of the families of the deceased soldiers at the funeral. He said the families were thankful for the state funeral given to the late soldiers, but asked the military “to investigate the remote causes of their deaths and come to the aid of the dependants.”
When the funeral speeches were over, dignitaries laid wreaths  at the symbolic tomb of unknown soldiers.  Vice President Sambo started the exercise followed by Defence Minister Obada, FCT Minister Bala Mohammed, National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, Defence Chief  Staff Admiral  Ibrahim, Army Chief General Ihejirika and Pastor Iliya.
The dead soldiers were later honoured with  a volley salute, during  which a rifle party fired three times into the air.
The funeral ended with the  reveille and all commissioned officers saluted.