On Sunday, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) held a memorial service for the 165 military officers who died in a plane crash in 1992 at Ejigbo on the outskirts of Lagos.

The Nigeria Air Force C-130 plane crashed on September 26, 1992, killing all the passengers and crew members.

This is the fourth year the college has observed a memorial ceremony honouring the 165 deceased officers.

In his remarks, Commandant of the College, Ebenezer Alade, said it was with a heavy heart that they remembered the fallen heroes.

He added that the unfortunate incident brought to an abrupt end the lives of promising officers with a bright future in the armed forces, lamenting the nation lost a generation of middle-level officers.

“It was in service to the nation that these noble officers and men that we remember today left the comforts of their homes and units after being posted to serve in the college as well as being nominated to attend Senior Course 15,” said Mr Alade. “The world will not remember for long, the words we say here today, but will forever remember the price paid by the beloved officers and men.”

According to him, the college has erected a befitting cenotaph, with the names of the fallen heroes, where their families can visit to remember their loved ones.

“This is to ensure that their names are not forgotten in the history of the college,” he noted.

The Deputy Commandant of the college, Patrick Nwatu, stated that among those that lost their lives were officers from Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and students of the Nigerian Military School, Zaria.

Stella Onabolu, one of the deceased officers’ wives, thanked the college for remembering their husbands.

“They died for the nation, and the nation is remembering and recognising them despite having died 29 years ago,” said Ms Onabolu.

(NAN)