Skip to main content

Buratai in tears as army buries Col. Abu-Ali


The Chief of Army of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, wept on Monday as he read the funeral oration at the graveside of the seven military men killed by the Boko Haram terrorists.

Lt.-Col. Muhammad Abu-Ali, Seargents Muazu Ibrahim, Bassey Okon, Hussani Jafaru, Cpl. Chukwu Simon, Private Salisu Lawal and Seaman Patrick Paul were killed when the terrorists attempted to seize Mallam Fatori on November 4 .


The soldiers were inducted into the Operation Lafiya Dole in 2014, designed to fight the Boko Haram insurgents and liberate the North-East from their hold.

He said, “They were brave, precise, professional and inspiring. They led the battle to recapture the following towns: Monguno, Baga, new Marte, Bama, Gwoza, Banki Junction, Gamboru-Ngala, Yale, Yanteke, Bita, Deruwa, Daira Kangaruwa and Mallam Fatori.



“In these battles, they rescued children and women, fathers and mothers, the young and the old and restored peace and hope to Nigerian citizens.

“At last, on Nov. 4, they paid the supreme sacrifice in the battle of Mallam Fatori.”

He said that the deceased epitomised the very best of our military. They exemplified the values of our nation and the military which are: loyalty, discipline, courage, selfless service, respect, honour and dignity.

Buratai said that the deceased fought for the unity of the nation, adding that “your labour will never be in vain”.

He promised that the army would take care of their survivors.

Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff at the occasion, Alhaji Abba Kyari, said the deceased had shown unalloyed commitment to the nation.

He said, “They were fearless, responsive, inspiring, selfless and dedicated to their duties.

“The selflessness of these gentlemen reinvigorate the memories of other great fallen heroes, who stood firm in the defence of our dear nation.”

Buhari noted that the deceased had paid the supreme sacrifice in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the North-East, adding that their sacrifices would not go in vain.

He also noted that their contributions had resulted in the restoration of normalcy in the region.

He said, “It is, therefore, our resolve that the labour of these fallen heroes shall never be in vain.”

Dignitaries that attended the funeral included the service chiefs, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, Ministers of Information and culture, and Interior, and Senators Ali Ndume, Dino Melaye and Phillip Aduda.

Also at the burial were the Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, and Wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki, among others.

The deceased were interred at about 5.55 p.m. after all necessary military ceremonies.

(NAN)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Home nations fined by Fifa over poppy displays

England have been fined 45,000 Swiss francs for several breaches of Fifa's rules about displaying political symbols, the sport's governing body have confirmed. The national team wore poppies on black armbands during their match with Scotland, despite being warned not to by Fifa, costing the Football Association just over £35,000. Prior to kick-off, both teams participated in a minute's silence and members of the armed forces lay wreaths. The Scottish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales have each been fined 20,000 Swiss francs (£15,692) and the Irish Football Association 15,000 Swiss francs (£11,769) for similar offences All of the associations were warned by to the World Cup qualifiers that they would be punished if they chose to ignore Fifa's regulations on the matter.     England has been fined CHF 45,000 for several incidents in the framework of the England v Scotland match, including the display by the host association, the English team and s...

Buhari confirms appointment of Niger Delta Power Holding’s CEO

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of a substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and two Executive Directors for the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC). Joseph Chiedu Ugbowho was in an acting capacity is now the substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company. Others are Mallam Babayo Shehu, Executive Director (Finance and Administration) and Engr. Ife Oyedele, Executive Director (Engineering and Technical Services). A statement signed by Bolaji Adebiyi, Director (Press),Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said Mr. Ugbo is a legal practitioner and infrastructure regulations specialist with extensive experience in electricity industry reform and privatization. “He has Bachelor and Master of Law Degrees from the University of Lagos and was admitted to practice Law in Nigeria in 1991. For over 15 years, he provided legal advisory services to public sector power entities including legal support t...

N’ Delta: How Adaka Boro was tried, convicted

Adaka Boro came into prominence in 1966 when proclaimed an Independent Niger Delta Peoples’ Republic with a flag and an emergency constitution. He paraded himself as the General Officer Commanding the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (DVS) and leader of the Liberation Government. Due to Boro’s intense agitation for resource control, it was learnt that he formed a band of fighters and allegedly trained them in the use of explosives and arms. Sometimes in March 1966, Boro, armed with a theory he called XYZ, declared Ijaw Republic thus: “Today is a great day, not only in your lives, but in the history of the Niger Delta. We are going to demonstrate to the world what and how we feel about oppression”. The activist and his followers also allegedly attacked a police station, blew up the armoury and took rifles and ammunition. They also reportedly blew up oil pipelines and engaged the police in a gun battle. Boro and two of his followers, Samuel Timipre Owonaru and Nottingham Dick were arrested ...