President Bola Tinubu has pledged to confer national honours on the personnel of the Nigerian Army who were tragically killed in Delta state while on a peace mission.
The incident, which occurred on March 14, claimed the lives of several military personnel, including a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, during a peacekeeping operation in the restive Okuoma community of Delta state.
The untimely demise of the soldiers has sparked widespread condemnation and outrage across the nation.
President Tinubu, reacting to the tragic event, expressed his profound grief and authorized the Chief of Defence Staff to ensure that those responsible for the “unconscionable crime” face the full weight of the law.
Describing the killings as a wicked act, President Tinubu emphasized that any attack on the nation’s military personnel is tantamount to a direct assault on the sovereignty of Nigeria.
Addressing members of the green chamber during the breaking of the Ramadan fast in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the military and the families of the deceased.
He hailed the fallen soldiers as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country, urging Nigerians to honor their memory and recognize the invaluable contribution of the nation’s armed forces.
Tinubu said: “Let us pray for Nigeria. Let us see our country go through these problems. I accept the sympathy, and on behalf of the country, I saw your messages for the loss of the lives of our military men.
“We have to salute them as our heroes. Responding to a distress call, they met the end of their lives in a savagery manner. Let us work to sympathise and symbolise the fact that their lives are worth the sacrifices they are making for Nigeria.
“We salute all our men and women in uniform and we sympathise with them.
“They must have a befitting burial and they will have national honours.”
Furthermore, President Tinubu assured that additional measures would be taken to address the tragic incident.
