22 military officers killed in Niger laid to rest

…CDS vows Military must avenge deaths of troops

By Abiodun OBA

The remains of the 22 gallant military personnel who died in combat in Niger State were laid to rest on Friday at National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Nigerian Armed Forces were joined by family members and friends of the falling soldiers.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa speaking at the event, ordered all military commanders and troops in the country to avenge the death of their colleagues.

Musa said, “When you have to bury your own, you feel very pained. I want to assure the families that their deaths are not in vain.

“We appreciate them. We will ensure those who did this must pay for this. I use this opportunity to call on all commanders and troops all over Nigeria that we must avenge this.

“Those who did this and those who continue to kill our men wherever they are we will smoke them out.

He vowed that the military would hunt down bandits, and terrorists among other criminal elements in the country.

Bandits had ambushed the troops in Niger State on August 14, 2023, killing 14 soldiers while seven were injured.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba; Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa; and other service chiefs.