11 Nigerian soldiers, who were killed by bandits at Kampanin Doka Village in Birnin-Gwari LG.A of Kaduna State, were laid to rest today at the Commonwealth Cemetery in Kaduna with full Military honor.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai donated half a million naira to each of the families of the slain soldiers, who were said to be a special force executing the Nigerian Army’s Exercise Aya Akpatuma (Rat race).
The soldiers killed by the bandits include;
Private Olabode Hammed, Private Bamidele Adekunke Emmanuel, Private Owhochukwu Christian Chigoziri, Private Adamu Muhammed, Private Lamara Ahmed, Private Mubarack Suleiman.
Others included, Private Bashir Dani, Private Usman Abubakar Halo, Private Nafiyi Iliyasu, Private Sefiyanu Ahmed and Private Alhassan Ibrahim.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, who told the families of the deceased to accept the death of the gallant officers as an act of God, saying, “From God we came, and to God we will return”, further stated that the death of the soldiers would not deter the Army from protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“On the morning of 20th March 2018, some able bodied men who came into this job barely a year ago to serve the country told their relations I have joined the Army. Now they have paid the supreme sacrifice defending their country.
“Could they have paid with their lives to aid those who killed them? All of us will join them, it’s only a matter of time. To have been trained for six months and additional training, to be cut short is really painful.
“We assure those who killed them that we will not relent our efforts. Their blood was not shed in vain. Their memories remain with us.
“We assure Nigerians that we would continue to do our duties, regardless of this. We assure that every part of this country, every part under 1 Division would be secured.
“If any other member of the family wants to join the Army, do not discourage them. We condole with you on the loss of your people, but we assure you that their death is not in vain” he said.
