During the burial ceremony of the soldiers killed in Okuama, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja revealed that the officers and soldiers who were brutally murdered left behind 10 widows, three of whom were pregnant, and 21 orphans.
Lagbaja emphasized that the Okuama tragedy has added to the responsibility of the Nigerian army and the Nigerian state, with 10 widows, including three who are currently four, five, and eight months pregnant, along with 21 orphans and numerous other dependents, including parents.
“We shall do everything within our power to provide support to them and honor the memories of their departed loved ones,” he vowed.
Lagbaja expressed the difficulty of his role, acknowledging that he often has to send brave men and women into dangerous situations, knowing that they might not return to their families and loved ones.
The 17 officers and soldiers who were brutally murdered include Lieutenant Colonel Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, Captain U. Zakari, Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna, Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi, Lance Corporal Bello Anas; Private Alhaji Isah, Private Clement Francis, Private Abubakar Ali, Private Adamu Ibrahim, Private Hamman Peter, and Private Ibrahim Adamu.
