The remains of 17 military personnel killed in Okuama in Delta on March 14 have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:26 p.m. on Wednesday, were conveyed by the Military Ambulance Emergency vehicles and FCT Ambulance Emergency services, among others.

As of the time of filing this report, top government functionaries and top military echelons from various formations across the country were on the ground to pay last respects to the fallen heroes, awaiting the arrival of President Bola Tinubu.

Distraught family members and relatives of the slain personnel, as well as wives of other military officers, were also present.

The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi LGA, while on a peace mission to Okuoma, were allegedly killed by irate youths.

The incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba.

The personnel comprised one lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers.

The officers were commanding officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348).

The soldiers are SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290); LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079) and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795). 

(NAN)