President Bola Tinubu fulfilled his promise on Wednesday to pay tribute to the 17 military personnel who lost their lives in the Okuama community of Delta State.

He hailed the fallen officers as courageous, noble, and patriotic individuals, emphasizing that they would forever be remembered as heroes who bravely answered the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice.

The fallen officers, who received posthumous honors from the Federal Government, included Lieutenant Colonel Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, Captain U. Zakari, Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, and Corporal Kabir Bashir.

Others were Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna, Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi, Lance Corporal Bello Anas; Private Alhaji Isah, Private Clement Francis, Private Abubakar Ali, Private Adamu Ibrahim, Private Hamman Peter, and Private Ibrahim Adamu.

Four of the officers were awarded the national honor of Member of the Order of Niger (MON), while the remaining 13 received the Officer of the Federal Republic Medal.

In addition to the honors, Tinubu announced house gifts and scholarships for the families of the deceased soldiers.

The tragic incident occurred when the troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, stationed in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, were attacked and killed by enraged youths during a peace mission to Okuama, a community in Delta State. The troops had responded to a distress call following a communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities.

During the burial ceremony, Tinubu paid special tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Ali, recalling a conversation he had with the Chief of Army Staff prior to the attack.

“Before the dastardly attack, Lieutenant Colonel Ali had a remarkable operational record, fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before being deployed to the Niger Delta. He remained committed to his military duty until the end,” Tinubu stated.

Expressing his condolences to the families of the fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces, Tinubu acknowledged their sacrifice and bravery, emphasizing the importance of their contributions in safeguarding the country.

As the Commander-In-Chief, he assured that those responsible for the heinous crime would face justice, while urging the elders and chiefs of Okuama to assist in identifying the perpetrators.

Tinubu also commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in refraining from carrying out reprisal attacks and called for efforts to rebuild communities and foster peace and harmony.

Addressing the Armed Forces directly, he encouraged them not to be discouraged by the loss of their comrades, emphasizing the honor and importance of their chosen vocation in protecting fellow citizens and defending the nation.

Tinubu praised the Nigerian Military as a force for good within the continent and the sub-region, upholding democracy and setting a commendable example.