Tinubu Demands Justice at Slain Soldiers’ Burial, Families Call for Accountability
During the burial of 17 officers and men of the Nigerian Army in Delta State, President Bola Tinubu reiterated the need for the arrest of their killers. The soldiers were ambushed in Okuama community on March 14, 2024, while on a peace mission. Families of the deceased also demanded justice at the ceremony held at the National Cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday.
Tinubu emphasized that leaders in Delta State must ensure the killers are brought to justice. He condemned the act and conferred posthumous national honors on the fallen soldiers. The late soldiers received honors in three categories, and their families were provided with houses and scholarships for their children. Tinubu also directed the military to pay the soldiers’ benefits to their families within 90 days.
At the event, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja described the soldiers’ deaths as highly demoralizing. He vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to book, noting that the soldiers were on a legitimate duty when they were killed.
Tinubu, who attended the burial ceremony, announced the provision of housing facilities and scholarships for the surviving family members. He commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in not retaliating against Okuama or its neighboring communities and urged cooperation in fishing out the perpetrators.
Families of the deceased soldiers demanded justice, with one brother describing the loss as saddening and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to book. Another family member, a retired Warrant Officer and father of one of the slain soldiers, expressed confidence in the government’s ability to ensure justice is served.
The ceremony was a solemn occasion, honoring the sacrifice of the soldiers and emphasizing the need for accountability and justice. Tinubu’s call for the arrest of the killers and the families’ demand for justice underscore the importance of ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
