Last week, a major tragedy befell the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) with the death of 36 officers in two tragic incidents in Niger State.
In the first unfortunate incident, three officers and 22 soldiers were killed when criminals ambushed troops of the Forward Operating Base Erena along Zungeru road in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA).
To compound the discomforting news, on August 14, 2023, seven soldiers who were wounded during the ambush, two pilots, and two crew members died when a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI-171 helicopter on evacuation operations crashed in Chukuka, also in Niger State.
As expected, the deaths have elicited national mourning and outpour of grief. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed sadness over the deaths. In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu said: “While we mourn their untimely departure, we will forever remember them, not just as servicemen, but as national heroes who gave their all for the peace and security of our country.
“They will always be remembered as courageous men who did not consider the perils and dangers of their national duty as paramount to their sacred mandate of ensuring that their fellow countrymen and women can live in peace.
“We salute their sacrifice, devotion and loyalty to our dear nation – the nation they loved and served to the end.”
Daily Trust commiserates with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the families, friends and all the loved ones of the fallen gallant officers and soldiers. We sympathise with the wounded who lost their colleagues in the unfortunate incidents and wish them speedy recovery.
We salute our gallant troops and their families for the immense sacrifices they have made and are still making to safeguard our nation’s security and stability and give Nigerians secure environment to carry out their legitimate businesses and activities.
This daily show of dedication and bravery shall not be in vain. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a united national and multi-sectoral approach and collaboration by governments at all levels, security agencies and citizens to put these disturbing and recurring security threats in the past.
Ordinarily, the deaths would be a jolt on the troops given the magnitude. But we urge them not to allow it affect their fighting spirit. They should not be demoralized. Nigerians appreciate and honour their sacrifices. Their selfless service to the nation is the reason criminals failed in their attempts to stop most Nigerians from enjoying the freedom and liberty to go about their daily chores.
But these killings and violence must stop. There ought to be an environment that ensures and assures the safety and well-being of all Nigerians and foreigners in the country.
This is the time to take the battle to every hideout or camp where the bandits/criminals are. As Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, vowed when he paid a morale-boosting visit to the base of the fallen troops to motivate them, “We must defeat the adversaries of our people and take back every inch of space where they are hibernating in our land.”
It is also heartwarming that Defence Headquarters Director of Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, promised “injurious consequences” for the attack and killings.
Buba added: “One thing is for sure. No one or group would strike at own troops without injurious consequences.”
The military should hound out the perpetrators and their comrades-in-arms wherever they may be to serve as a deterrent to others.
The nation expects a new order of engagement in the battle against all criminal elements. The military must re-strategise and use this opportunity as wake-up call to rid the nation of these killings and other criminal acts.
It is bad enough that the insecurity is happening at all. And it is worse that the military, whom Nigerians have always ran to for protection, are being killed. However, while the military carries on with its work, it is important for community leaders, traditional rulers and indeed all stakeholders to work together to draw up a road map that will get the country out of the security crisis.
We implore the federal government to ensure that the fallen heroes are honoured. Their next-of-kin and immediate family members should be taken care of in order to motivate others to continue to serve with utmost loyalty and dedication. There should be no delay in the payment of their benefits. Both the federal government and their states of origin should also consider the possible provision of scholarships for their children.
Daily Trust implores the men and women of the Armed Forces to remain courageous and continue to be resilient in the fight against all enemies of the nation. Like all well-meaning Nigerians, we stand in firm solidarity with them, especially in these trying times. May the souls of the soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice rest in perfect peace.
