The Army said yesterday that the death of 15 soldiers killed by members of the Boko Haram would not deter it from crushing the terrorist group. It also declared its willingness and capability of defeating all terrorist groups which are hampering Nigeria’s peace and stability. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at the burial of the soldiers, said they died in their zeal and gallantry efforts to ensure that terrorism and insurgency are defeated so that our country can enjoy the much desired peace. The Army head, while commiserating with the bereaved families, said their death was not just a monumental loss to their relatives, the equipped Forces, security agencies, but to the entire country and Africa where they fought and past away for peace to reign. He said the death of the soldiers would farther strengthen the infantry to swab out terrorism. He pleaded God to grant the bereaved families the fortitude to accept the great decrease, while promising that the armed detachment will assist them and ensure they get all the entitlements as shortly as likely. furthermore speaking at the burial which took location at the National infantry Cemetery, Abuja, the head of protection Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Saa’d, said the decision to make the ceremony public, was to alert the insurgents and other terrorist groups who have been initating problem and destabilising the peace of the homeland that the infantry would not fold its arms and permit dissidents have their way. He said: “We’re holding a public burial ceremony. By this ceremony, we are sending a alert signal to terrorists, insurgents and those who are in the custom of fomenting problem to destabilize the country that the Nigerian Armed Forces is eager and capable of defending the territorial integrity of the nation”. In his address, leader Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by Vice leader Namadi Sambo, while commiserating with the agents and soldiers, pledged his administration’s resolve to advance fighters’ welfare and reinforce their operational capabilities to conquer Nigeria’s security trials. He urged them to be powerful at this time of their sorrow and take solace in the detail that they were triumphant the conflict against terrorism. He said “rather than despair and misplace aim, I advocate you to strategise to beat the enemies”. talking on behalf of the bereaved families, Pastor Iliya Joshua Hamadu, called on the military to investigate the isolated determinants of the death of their relations because as he put it, “their death remains a secret to their families.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 21:52:54 +0000