The remains of Captain Attah Samuel and four other elite soldiers guarding the president who were ambushed and killed by terrorists in Abuja in July have been laid to rest.
The bodies of the soldiers were interred at the Guards Brigade Cemetery, Maitama, Abuja on Thursday amid tears.
The burial process started with a Christian wake-keep and funeral service held at St John’s military church (protestant), before the final internment at the guards brigade cemetery.
Until their demise, the gallant soldiers were serving with 7 Guards Battalion, Lungi Barracks Maitama and 176 Guards Battalion Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja respectively.
The battalion is a unit under the Guards Brigade, which is responsible for protecting the president.
The Commanding Officers of 7 Guards Battalion, Lt Col Salim Yusuf Hassan and Commanding Officer 176 Guards Battalion, Lt Col Joshuah Kolowale Adisa while reading the funeral oration of the deceased soldiers at the ceremony, described the late Captain and Soldiers “as thoroughly bred Infantrymen who were genuinely committed to their duties in defence of Nigeria and whose contribution and services would be greatly missed.”
Farouk Yahaya, chief of army staff who was represented by James Ataguba, a major general, presented accoutrements to the next of kin of the deceased personnel.
According to a statement by Godfrey Abakpa, the assistant director, army public relations, guards brigade, the commanding officers described the late soldiers as thoroughbred personnel who were genuinely committed to their duties in the defence of Nigeria.
“The Army would greatly miss the contributions and services of the deceased,” the statement reads.
“They asked God to console the families left behind and urged them to take solace in the fact that they have fought a just fight and their souls shall continue to rest with the Lord till the resurrection morning.”
One of the officers, Ibrahim Suleiman, has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
Below are photos of the funeral.
