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| The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika |
Emotions were rife yesterday when the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Abel Umahi, presented the sum of N1million each to the families of the 12 army personnel who were killed in active duty in Maiduguri.
The 12 personnel drawn from the 174 Battalion were part of those killed last month on August 4, in the ongoing insurgency in the North-eastern part of Nigeria instigated by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist sect.
In fulfillment of the promise made to the bereaved families,the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, made the sum of N12million available each as part of compensation for their loss.
The 12 slain soldiers include Captain Al Ushoga, Sergeant Sadiq Ominisi, Corporals Olafimihan Akeem, Sabo Mijinyawa and Moses Sylvester, Lance Corporals Umar Isa, Michael Ike and Nwanbuwanne Monday.
Others are Lance Corporals Kabiru Mairiga and Musa Job, as well as Privates Ephraim Ebimine and Ndah Mohammed.
While addressing the bereaved family members, Major General Umahi said although the business of soldering is a risky business, the men who died in active service laid down their lives so that the rest of Nigeria would live in peace.
He said, "These are the wives and family members of the gallant officers that laid their lives for the security of the nation. This is a solemn moment for us but resources have been made available courtesy of the Borno State Government.
"This is to cushion the effect of the loss on the wives, children and family members. Apart from this, the NA has undertaken to do a number of things like burial and payment of benefits which have been processed."
For the children of the deceased officers below 18 years of age, Umahi said the NA welfare policies stipulates that they put on an educational scholarship throughout their academic endeavours.
He added, "The business of soldiering is a risky business. It is a commitment to lay down our lives so that the rest of Nigerians can live in peace and the country can progress. It is a sacrifice they (soldiers) had made.
"The money being presented today is not enough, but it is a kind gesture from the Borno state government where the soldiers died. We will continue to support and care for you".
He urged the families to apply the funds judiciously in appropriate manners for the benefit of the children and wives of the slain soldiers, stressing that the largesse is not meant for the extended family members.
As against the case where the widows of slain personnel are often thrown out of their barracks, Umahi said measures have been put in place to ensure that they retain their accommodations.
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