National Grief as President Tinubu Set to Attend Funeral of Mvrdered Soldiers in Delta

In a solemn ceremony set to unite the nation in grief, Nigeria prepares to bid farewell to seventeen of its brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The heroes, who fell on March 14, 2024, in the tragic confrontation in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, will be laid to rest on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The National Military Cemetery in Abuja will host the burial ceremony at 3 pm, with President Bola Tinubu gracing the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour.

The Nigerian Army, through a heartfelt post on X, revealed the devastating loss of these valiant souls who answered a distress call amid a communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities. Their commitment to peace and security tragically led to their brutal demise, with reports emerging of their bodies being recovered from a neighboring river, some beheaded and others with their hearts and stomachs removed.

In a nation stricken with grief, the Defence Headquarters has disclosed the identities of the fallen, including the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, a captain, and twelve battalion personnel. This loss, stemming from a peace mission, has ignited a wave of condemnation from across the Nigerian spectrum. President Tinubu, expressing the nation’s outrage, has labeled the attack as a direct assault on Nigeria’s sovereignty, issuing directives to security forces to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.

The Nigerian Senate, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and numerous civil society organizations have joined in mourning, unequivocally condemning the violence and calling for justice against the perpetrators. In recognition of their bravery and sacrifice, President Tinubu announced that the fallen soldiers would be posthumously honored with national awards.