The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has said the 17 slain soldiers in Okuama community of Delta State left behind 10 widows and 21 children.
General Lagbaja stated this in his remarks at the burial of the 17 soldiers killed on March 14, 2024 during a peace mission in Delta State, at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, on Wednesday.
He said the death of the soldiers was “highly demoralising.”
He said it took over 72 hours to recover some vital organs of the decapitated and dismembered bodies of the soldiers that were scattered all over the Okuama community by the irate community youths and their friends.
“The Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and, by extension, the Nigerian state – 10 windows (three of whom are 4, 5, and 8 months pregnant), 21 orphans, and many other dependants which include parents,” he said.
The COAS, while commiserating with the families of the fallen soldiers, assured that the Nigerian Army and the good people of Nigeria will not leave them in the cold.
“We shall do all within our power to provide succour to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones,” the COAS stated.
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