By Sadiq Abubakar (MAIDUGURI)
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has presented N23 million naira cheques to next of kins of 21 fallen heroes and wounded in action soldiers during Operation SHARAN FAGE and Operation LAKE SANITY.
The beneficiaries were those who were deployed to the MNJTF Command Headquarters, Njamenah and lost their lives and got wounded in action during military joint operations in Lake Chad Basin region of Niger, Cameroon and Chad Republics.
During the symbolic presentation of the cheques to the next of kin of the deceased families at the Theater Command Headquarters, the Force Commander MNJTF, Major General Abdul Ibrahim Khallifah said “I am pleased to be here at the presentation of compensation grants to our fallen heroes and CJTF who paid supreme price under operation Sharan Fage and Operation Make Sanity.”
“MNJTF really apprentices and sympathizes with the deceased who pay the supreme price for the Nigeria to live in peace and their families for their sacrifices.”
”As you are all aware the MNJTF has engaged in Operation Sharan Fage and Lake Sanity where some of troops paid the supreme price This event is the last phrase, as we have. already presented similar compensation grants to deceased and wounded soldiers in Chad, Niger and Cameroon republics,” Abdul added.
The Force Commander further called on the remaining Boko Haram insurgents in the bush to come out and surrenders, as according to him, time for war is over.
He said: ” I am indeed in mixed feeling of joy and happiness, as well as emotions that today .we are presenting grants to the next of kin of deceased officers, soldiers and CJTF who paid supreme price in major operations under Operation Sharan Fage and Operation Lake Sanity”.
”This event is paramount for two reasons , first it show the next of kin of our fallen heroes that the Nigerian Army is still with them, secondary, it will also serve as moral booster to our troops in the front mine ”
In his remarks, the Commander Sector 3 of Headquarters JTF North East Operation Hadin Kai and sector 3 NNJTF,, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar said, ” a total of 19 officers , soldiers and CJTF paid the supreme price, while 98 soldiers and CJTF were wounded in-Action both under Operations Sharan Fage and Lake Sanity I ”
“Today we are here to honour our fallen heroes and also show their next of kin, those who laid their lives for peace to reign in the region.
This exercise is to honour those who paid supreme price in restoring peace to Borno and the Northeast. I want to use this opportunity to appreciate those fallen heroes and appreciate their families and also to tell them that there is no amount that will compensate their lives but thus token will will assist the families of the deceased colleagues”, Abubakar said.
General Abubakar assured that they would not rest on their oars until peace is completely restored in the Lake Chad region and north east and Nigeria in general.
Highlights of the event include presentation of cheques to the families of the deceased and wounded in action next of kins and group photographs.
