…as families, friends, Govs, security chiefs, others grace burial
The Nigerian Armed Forces on Friday laid to rest the remains of military personnel killed in action and in the recent crash of the Nigerian Air Force MI-171E Helicopter in Niger.
The burial ceremony was conducted for 20 deceased personnel at the National Military Cemetery Abuja in line with military tradition.
It also signifies a mark of honour for their gallantry and sacrifice in defence of the nation.
The bodies of the 20 deceased personnel arrived at the cemetery from Kaduna at noon for the funeral, as some of the fallen heroes had since been buried in other locations.
It will be recalled that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed in an ambush in the Zungeru general area of the state while seven were wounded in action.
The NAF helicopter was on a mission to evacuate the deceased and wounded troops when it crashed at the Chukuba area of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state on 13 August.
The crashed helicopter was conveying 14 bodies of the previously killed soldiers and seven wounded ones, two pilots and two crew members.
Asides friends and families, some of the officials present to pay their last respects were 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.
The Governors of Kaduna and Niger States were represented at the funeral.
The event involved the laying of a wreath by the two ministers and the presentation of the National Flag to the next-of-kin of the deceased personnel by the CDS and service chiefs.
