Military vows fallen soldiers’ sacrifice will not be in vain

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has paid tribute to soldiers who were killed while fighting insurgents in north-eastern Nigeria. The soldiers were buried on Friday at the Maimalari Military Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the theatre commander described the ceremony as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by troops serving in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.

Speaking during the burial, Major General Abubakar said the fallen soldiers showed courage, selflessness and dedication to duty, noting thattheir deaths were a loss not only to their families but also to the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces and the nation. He said the troops had given their lives in defence of the country and pledged that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.

He also assured the families of the deceased soldiers that all benefits due to them would be processed promptly, adding that the military leadership remained committed to supporting the bereaved families.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Security Trust Fund, Mustapha Ali Yabe, expressed condolences to the Armed Forces and Operation Hadin Kai. He praised the troops for their resilience and commitment, and said the state government would continue to support both the military and the families of fallen soldiers.