Emotions ran high, yesterday, at the 81
Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army,
Victoria Island, Lagos, as widows of military
personnel killed by members of the Boko Haram
sect last month in Maiduguiri, Borno State were presented a cheque of N1 million each. The widows, numbering 12, majority of whom
were between 20 and 30 years, including their
children, broke down in uncontrollable tears,
Widow of Captain E. I. Oshoga and son receieving
a cheque from Major-General Umahi. Presenting the cheques, General Officer
Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Major General
Abel Umahi, said the compensation was from the
Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, as
part of succor to cushion the effect of the loss on
their next-of-kin. Describing the moment as a solemn one, he said
the deceased soldiers from the 174 Battalion died
in active service so that majority of Nigerians
could live in peace. He said aside the N1 million compensation by the
Borno State governor, the Nigerian Army had
undertaken a number of things such as payment
of benefits accrued to the deceased as well as
taking responsibility of the deceased’s children
academic pursuit, particularly those below 18 years. He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue
to do all within its powers to comfort the
bereaved families. GOC warns extended families Advising the widows to use the money given to
them wisely, Umahi, however, cautioned
extended families not to arm-twist the widows of
their benefits. “Widows and children of the fallen soldiers are
targets of this gesture. It is meant for wives and
children, not for extended family members. The
money should be used to carter for the need of
the wives and children of the deceased. It is not
for burial because the Nigerian Army had taken care of all the burial responsibilities.” He also warned that the beneficiaries should not
be stampeded out of their respective barracks
accommodation. The slain soldiers are Captain A. I. Oshoga,
N/13977 of 174 Battalion; Sergeant Sadiq Ominisi
with Force number 95NA/40/4750 of 174
Battalion; Corporal Olafimihan Akeem, 92
NA/33/1698 of 9 Brigade; Corporal Sabo
Mijinwaya of 9 Brigade; Corporal Moses Sylvester 97NA/44/3971 of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal Umar
is a 97NA/45/7655 of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal
Michael Ike of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal
Nwabunwane Monday of 81 Division. Others are Lance Corporal Kabiru Mairiga of 81
Division Garrison; Lance Corporal Job of 81
Division Garrison; Private Ephraim Ebimine and
Private Ndah Mohammed.
Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army,
Victoria Island, Lagos, as widows of military
personnel killed by members of the Boko Haram
sect last month in Maiduguiri, Borno State were presented a cheque of N1 million each. The widows, numbering 12, majority of whom
were between 20 and 30 years, including their
children, broke down in uncontrollable tears,
Widow of Captain E. I. Oshoga and son receieving
a cheque from Major-General Umahi. Presenting the cheques, General Officer
Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Major General
Abel Umahi, said the compensation was from the
Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, as
part of succor to cushion the effect of the loss on
their next-of-kin. Describing the moment as a solemn one, he said
the deceased soldiers from the 174 Battalion died
in active service so that majority of Nigerians
could live in peace. He said aside the N1 million compensation by the
Borno State governor, the Nigerian Army had
undertaken a number of things such as payment
of benefits accrued to the deceased as well as
taking responsibility of the deceased’s children
academic pursuit, particularly those below 18 years. He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue
to do all within its powers to comfort the
bereaved families. GOC warns extended families Advising the widows to use the money given to
them wisely, Umahi, however, cautioned
extended families not to arm-twist the widows of
their benefits. “Widows and children of the fallen soldiers are
targets of this gesture. It is meant for wives and
children, not for extended family members. The
money should be used to carter for the need of
the wives and children of the deceased. It is not
for burial because the Nigerian Army had taken care of all the burial responsibilities.” He also warned that the beneficiaries should not
be stampeded out of their respective barracks
accommodation. The slain soldiers are Captain A. I. Oshoga,
N/13977 of 174 Battalion; Sergeant Sadiq Ominisi
with Force number 95NA/40/4750 of 174
Battalion; Corporal Olafimihan Akeem, 92
NA/33/1698 of 9 Brigade; Corporal Sabo
Mijinwaya of 9 Brigade; Corporal Moses Sylvester 97NA/44/3971 of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal Umar
is a 97NA/45/7655 of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal
Michael Ike of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal
Nwabunwane Monday of 81 Division. Others are Lance Corporal Kabiru Mairiga of 81
Division Garrison; Lance Corporal Job of 81
Division Garrison; Private Ephraim Ebimine and
Private Ndah Mohammed.
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