President Bola Tinubu has conferred national posthumous awards on 17 slain military personnel killed in the Okuama area of Delta State.

At the burial of the officers and soldiers at the Military Cemetery, Abuja, the President also announced scholarships to university level, and house gifts in any part of our country for the children and families of the slain military personnel.

The officers and soldiers were murdered by criminals of the riverine community on March 14, 2024 when the men in uniform were on a peace mission to warring Okuama and Okoloba communities in the area.

Four slain officers were awarded the honour of Members of the Order of the Niger (MON) while 13 slain soldiers were honoured with Officers of the Federal Republic medals.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, who assured the family members of slain soldiers killed in the Okuoma community of Delta State of maximum support, described the killing of the soldiers as “most barbaric”, saying it took 72 hours after the unfortunate incident to recover the mutilated bodies of the slain soldiers.

He reiterated the Army’s commitment to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book and recover all missing weapons.