The President made this known when he attended the burial of the slain military personnel in Abuja on Wednesday.
President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 17 military personnel killed in Delta State on March 14, 2024.
The President made this known when he attended the burial of the slain military personnel in Abuja on Wednesday.
The President also announced the provision of housing facilities for the surviving family members and scholarships for all their children, up to the university level.
He also directed the payment of death benefits to the family members within 90 days.
Tinubu posthumously conferred the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger on the Commanding Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt. U Zakari (N/16348).
The President conferred the honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger on Sgt Yahaya Saidu; Cpl Yahaya Danbaba; Cpl Kabiru Bashir; LCpl Bulus Haruna; LCpl Sola Opeyemi; LCpl Bello Anas; LCpl Hamman Peter; LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi; Pte Alhaji Isah; Pte Clement Francis; Pte Abubakar Ali; Pte Ibrahim Adamu and Pte Adamu Ibrahim.
The President’s aide, Bayo Onanuga had confirmed that his principal would attend the slain soldiers’ funeral in Abuja.
Onanuga stated this on Wednesday in a short statement issued on X, claiming that it would be the first time in 10 years that a Nigerian President would pay such homage to soldiers who died in service.
Bayo wrote: "It is confirmed that President Bola Tinubu will be attending the national burial for the Nigerian military officers and soldiers killed on 14 March by some gunmen in Okuama Community in Delta State.
"It is the first time in the last ten years that a Nigerian President will attend such a solemn event, in honour of our men of gallantry and valor. Two other burials in 2021 and 2018 were not graced by the incumbent. We told you then that @officialABAT cares. He is demonstrating it yet again.”
SaharaReporters learnt that President Tinubu arrived at the venue in company with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Last week, Tinubu said there would be a befitting burial for the 17 slain soldiers who were killed while on a peacekeeping mission in Delta State.
Tinubu had expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved families and pledged that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would never be in vain.