Tears as Army buries 14 Boko Haram victims, 1 other

Tears flew freely at the Military burial ground, Abuja, on Thursday, when the remains of two officers and 13 soldiers who paid the supreme price in the ongoing prosecution of the state of emergency in the Northern-eastern part of the country and the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Dafur, Sudan, were laid to rest.
Families and friends of the deceased, including those present, could not hold back tears as the fallen heroes were given full military and national honour for their sacrifices to ensure that peace reigns in Nigeria and the African Region.
The two officers are; Major A.T. Fambiya and Major Abdullahi Kanoma while the soldiers include; SSGT Keku Adebayo, CPL Ahmed Usman, CPL Mathew Ade, LCPL Adamu Ibrahim, LCPL Suleiman Gimba, LCPL Salisu Sadauki, LBDR Usman David, LCPL Ajani Olosola, PTE Zakariya Dauda, PTE Daniel Kantoma, PTE Nya Bassey, PTE Bassey Emmanuel, and PTE Enyenihi Effiong.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who recalled the need to declare a state of emergency in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, urged the families of the deceased to take solace in the fact that the country was winning the war against insurgents and terrorists.
“Indeed, for us all, the loss is taste of regret but we take solace in the fact that we are winning the war, they shall rest in peace knowing that, as members of the Armed Forces, you must know that the military profession is a hazardous job and in conflicts like this, there are bound to be casualty, including death. Rather than despair and lose focus of our objective, it is incumbent on us to respect and honour the dead by giving them a befitting burial while we keep strategising to defeat the enemy.
“On several occasions and in different fora, I have reiterated the commitment of this administration to strengthening and improving on the nation’s security capability to enable us to confront challenges of the 21st century. As a result, this administration has steadfastedly evolved and implemented policies and measures to tackle the country’s current developmental challenges, especially, the Boko Haram terrorist insurgency.
“Accordingly and in order to face the threat headlong, I declared emergency in three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa on May 14, 2013, thus the Chief of Defence Staff was mandated to deploy troops in these states to take all necessary actions within the ambit of their rule of engagement to end the impunity of insurgents and terrorists. Today, we are here to lay to rest two officers and 13 soldiers who gallantly paid the supreme price as a result of this declaration. I want to reiterate that their sacrifices shall not and will never be in vain,” the President represented by Vice President, Namadi Sambo, stated.
He assured the families of the deceased that the nation would not forget the sacrifices of their loved ones, promising that their entitlements would be duly paid.
“To the families of the deceased, gallant officers and soldiers, I want to assure you that our country will not forget you in this trying time. I have conferred with the Chief of Defence Staff, COAS, and I want to also assure you that all settlements due +to you shall be promptly settled. All other welfare issues shall also be duly taken care of, remember that your loss is also the nation’s loss, be comforted that your departed ones are resting in the bosom of the Lord, may the Almighty grant you the fortitude to bear the loss,” President Jonathan told the families of the departed.
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