Soldiers slain in current counter-insurgency operations in Borno State have been buried by the Nigerian Army.
On Friday, the slain soldiers were laid to rest at Maiduguri’s Maimalari Military Cantonment Cemetery.
Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, the Joint Task Force North-East’s Media Information Officer for Operation Hadin Kai, revealed the development in a statement on Saturday.
Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, spoke at the funeral and called the event a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel.
“In the profession of arms, there are moments of victory that fill us with pride and affirm the strength, courage, and unity that define our service,” he stated.
“Yet, as we have seen today, there are also somber moments that weigh heavily on our hearts and remind us of the true cost of service.”
According to Abubakar, the fallen soldiers showed bravery, devotion, and commitment to duty in protecting the country.
They sacrificed their life for a cause bigger than themselves, the country, the people, and the principles they vowed to uphold. The sacrifices made by these brave, devoted, and fearless patriots will always be remembered, he declared.
The troops battled bravely while respecting the Nigerian Army’s traditions, the theater commander continued.
They put up with adversity so that our flag would always fly high. Their sacrifices serve as a reminder that freedom is not free; rather, it is protected by the unwavering determination of patriots who are prepared to put their country’s needs ahead of their own, he said.
Additionally, he reassured the families of the dead servicemen that their efforts would not be in vain.
According to Abubakar, all benefits and entitlements owed to the departed employees would be completed quickly in order to provide for their families.
Babagana Umara Zulum, the governor of Borno State, and Mustapha Ali Yabe, the executive secretary of the Borno State Security Trust Fund, both spoke at the event and offered their sympathies to the military.
Zulum praised the military for their dedication to bringing peace back to the state and called the deaths a terrible loss for the nation.
Additionally, he promised that the military and the families of the dead soldiers will continue to receive help from the Borno State Government.
Senior officers from the Nigerian Army’s 7 Division and Headquarters Theatre Command attended the funeral.
The commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, representatives from the Borno State Government, the chairman of the Damboa Local Government Area, and the families and surviving relatives of the fallen troops were also in attendance.
