Widows of slain soldiers receive N12m compensation

LAGOS — Emotions ran high, yesterday, at the
81 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian
Army, Victoria Island, Lagos, as widows of
military personnel killed by members of the
Boko Haram sect last month in Maiduguiri,
Borno State were presented a cheque of N1
million each.
The widows, numbering 12, majority of whom
were between 20 and 30 years, including their
children, broke down in uncontrollable tears,
Widow of Captain E. I. Oshoga and son
receieving a cheque from Major-General
Umahi.
Presenting the cheques, General Officer
Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Major General
Abel Umahi, said the compensation was from
the Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim
Shettima, as part of succor to cushion the
effect of the loss on their next-of-kin.
Describing the moment as a solemn one, he
said the deceased soldiers from the 174
Battalion died in active service so that majority
of Nigerians could live in peace.
He said aside the N1 million compensation by
the Borno State governor, the Nigerian Army
had undertaken a number of things such as
payment of benefits accrued to the deceased
as well as taking responsibility of the
deceased’s children academic pursuit,
particularly those below 18 years.
He assured that the Nigerian Army would
continue to do all within its powers to comfort
the bereaved families.
GOC warns  extended families
Advising the widows to use the money given to
them wisely, Umahi, however, cautioned
extended families not to arm-twist the widows
of their benefits.
“Widows and children of the fallen soldiers are
targets of this gesture. It is meant for wives
and children, not for extended family
members. The money should be used to carter
for the need of the wives and children of the
deceased. It is not for burial because the
Nigerian Army had taken care of all the burial
responsibilities.”
He also warned that the beneficiaries should
not be stampeded out of their respective
barracks accommodation.
The slain soldiers are Captain A. I. Oshoga,
N/13977 of 174 Battalion; Sergeant Sadiq
Ominisi with Force number 95NA/40/4750 of
174 Battalion; Corporal Olafimihan Akeem, 92
NA/33/1698 of 9 Brigade; Corporal Sabo
Mijinwaya of 9 Brigade; Corporal Moses
Sylvester 97NA/44/3971 of 9 Brigade; Lance
Corporal Umar is a 97NA/45/7655 of 9
Brigade; Lance Corporal Michael Ike of 9
Brigade; Lance Corporal Nwabunwane Monday
of 81 Division.
Others are Lance Corporal Kabiru Mairiga of
81 Division Garrison; Lance Corporal Job of 81
Division Garrison; Private Ephraim Ebimine and
Private Ndah Mohammed.