JUST-IN: Bodies Of 17 Soldiers Killed In Delta Arrive Abuja Cemetery For Burial

The remains of 17 military personnel comprising four officers, 13 soldiers gruesomely murdered by some irate youths in Okuama community in Delta State during a peace mission on March 14, 2024, have arrived the National Military Cemetery, Abuja for burial on Wednesday.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:30pm, were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.

Already seated at the venue of the burial ceremony were top military officers from various Services to pay their last respect to the fallen heroes.

Family members and relatives of the deceased personnel as well as those of other military officers were also on ground to honour the fallen heroes.

The solemn ceremony is billed to also have the President, Bola Tinubu, in attendance.

However, as at the time of this report, the burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel was already underway.

Hereunder are the profiles of the slain 17 Army personnel as contained in the programme of event:

1. Late Lieutenant Colonel Abdullahi Hassan Ali* (N/12079) was born on May 18, 1975 in Kano and hailed from Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State. He had his primary education at Kuka Special Primary School, Fagge, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. Thereafter, he proceeded to Government Senior Grammar School, Gwarzo, where he obtained his West African Secondary School Certificate. He then attended the College of Arts and Remedial Studies, Kano, before proceeding to Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. The late senior officer enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 2 October 1996 and was later granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 17 December 2005 as a member of Short Service Course 34 in the rank of second lieutenant. He converted to Regular Combatant Commission effective 24 November 2010. He was of the Infantry Corps and rose to the rank lieutenant colonel on 17 November 2020 before his demise on 14 March 2024.
2. Late Major Daniel Ekwo Obi (N/14395) was born on December 20, 1985 in Niger State and hailed from Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. He had his primary and secondary education at Atlas School, Lagos, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate as well as his Senior Secondary School Certificate.

He gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 8 July 2006 as a member of Regular Course 58, and was later granted Regular Combatant Commission on 17 September 2011 in the rank of second lieutenant. He was of the Nigerian Army Engineers before his inter-corps transfer was approved to the Infantry Corps. He rose to the rank of major on 8 July 2020 before his demise on 14 March 2024.

During his Bomb Disposal Course, he was dedicated, hardworking and displayed a good level of innovativeness. He contributed intelligently to discussions and showed good leadership traits on the Course. He also exhibited a commendable level of organization, focus and preparedness during his Young Officers’ Course (Engineers). He displayed a good understanding of military engineering and potential for development. While on Junior Course, he was eager to learn and displayed balanced knowledge of both Service and contemporary issues.

3. Late Major Salihu Danjuma Shafa (N/13976) was born on March 27, 1985 in Maiduguri and hailed from Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State.

He had his primary education at Shafa Primary School, Hawul, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. Thereafter, he attended Government Senior Science Secondary School, Biu, where he obtained his Senior School Certificate. The late senior officer then proceeded to the University of Maiduguri where he acquired his Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology. He was granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 6 April 2011 in the rank of second lieutenant and converted to Regular Combatant Commission on 23 August 2018. He was of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps and later transferred to the Infantry Corps on 6 April 2020. He rose to the rank of major on 6 November 2022 before his demise on 14 March 2024.

4. Late Captain Usman Zakari (N/16348) was born on May 11, 1989 at Keffi and hailed from Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He had his primary education at Army Children School Karshi, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. Thereafter, he proceeded to Government Secondary School, Keffi, where he obtained his Secondary School Leaving Certificate. After which he attended the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa where he was awarded a Higher National Diploma in Marketing. He was granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 12 September 2015 as a member of Short Service Course 43 in the rank of second lieutenant. He was of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport before his inter-corps transfer was approved to the Infantry Corps. He rose to the rank of captain on 3 January 2023 before his demise on 14 March 2024.
5. Late Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu was born on October 14, 1973 into the family of Alhaji Yahaya of Bebeji Town in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State. The late Staff Sergeant enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 19 July 1993 as a member of 36 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre Jaji. Late Staff Sergeant Yahaya served at 81 Bn and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier gallantly fought in Operation ORO III AZARE and DELTA SAFE.
6. Late Corporal Danbaba Yahaya was born on August 12, 1989 into the family of Alhaji Danbaba of Toro Town in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The late Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 2 September 2010 as a member of 65 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre Jaji. Late Corporal Danbaba served at 145 Bn and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier gallantly fought in Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation DELTA SAFE.
7. Late Corporal Kabiru Bashir was born on February 14, 1990 into the family of Alhaji Bashir of Dala in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State.

The late Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 6 September 2011 as a member of 66 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre Jaji. Late Corporal Danbaba served at 3 Brigade Garrison and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024.

8. Late Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna was born on July 16, 1994 into the family of Mr Haruna in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The late Lance Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 4 July 2016 as a member of 75 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Nigerian Army Armour Corps, Bauchi. Late Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna served at 22 Armour Brigade Garrison and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama community.
9. Late Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi was born on December 31, 1993 into the family of Mr Sole in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. The late Lance Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 10 June 2017 as a member of 76 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi served at 195 Battalion and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier participated gallantly in Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation DELTA SAFE.
10. Late Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim was born on July 13, 1999 into the family of Alhaji Ibrahim in Saki Local Government Area of Oyo State. The late Lance Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2018 as a member of 77 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Nigerian Army Armour Corps, Bauchi. Late Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim served at 221 Battalion and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama.
11. Late Lance Corporal Bello Anas was born on April 17, 1999 into the family of Alhaji Bello in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The late Lance Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 as a member of 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Lance Corporal Bello Anas served at 199 Special Forces Battalion and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier participated gallantly in Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DELTA SAFE.
12. Late Private Alhaji Isah was born on September 7, 1997 into the family of Alhaji Isah of Gadaka in Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 10 June 2017 as a member of 76 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Alhaji Isah served at 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta state.
13. Late Private Hamman Peter was born on September 13 into the family of Mr Hamman in Maiduguri and his f Local Government Area of Taraba State. The late enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the f Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Hamman Peter servod Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before he while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughell Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 200 late soldier participated gallantly in Operation HADIN KM Operation DELTA SAFE.
14. Late Private Clement Francis was born on September 7, 1998 into the family of Mr Francis in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 as a member of 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Clement Francis served at 181 Amphibious Battalion.
15. Late Private Abubakar Ali was born on May 25, 1999 into the family of Alhaji Abubakar of Degubi Nagere in Potiskum local Government Area of Yobe State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 as a member of 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Abubakar Ali served at 63 Brigade Garrison and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier participated gallantly in Operation DELTA SAFE.
16. Late Private Adamu Ibrahim was born on January 10, 1998 into the family of Alhaji Adamu in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Local Government Area of Borno State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 as a member of 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Adamu Ibrahim served at 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier participated gallantly in Operation HADIN ΚΑΙ and Operation DELTA SAFE.
17. Late Private Adamu Ibrahim was born on February 1, 1998 into the family of Alhaji Adamu in Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 18 January 2021 as a member of 80 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Adamu Ibrahim served at 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama.