Abuja — The seven Nigerian peace keepers killed on September 30 in Darfur, Sudan, were yesterday buried in Abuja amidst wailing by family and friends. Other casualties in the attack that led to the death of the Nigerian soldiers were one peacekeeper each from Botswana, Senegal and Mali.
The buried soldiers were - Danjuma Madaki (39), Usman Saleh (39), Privates Duniya Audu (33), Samuel Orokpo (29), Bala Moham-med (27), Dogara John (27) and Toyin Ajao (25) all of Nigerian Battalion 11. Audu, who was yet to be told of the death of his father also died without seeing his one-month-old son.
Families, friends, colleagues, top government functionaries while paying their last respect could not hold back tears just as the wives and children of the dead soldiers would not be consoled.
The pregnant wife of Ajao collapsed each time she heard her husband's name being called and at a point had to be taken away from the area.
In his remark, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Andrew Azazi said that apart from the fact that the geography of Darfur makes the defence of positions a difficult task, it was known from the onset that the troops were at risk.
He said report revealed that it was a totally unprovoked and malicious attack on Nigerian location at Haskanita and that the effect of the incident on Nigerians was very devastating.
Azazi said: "I am very sure there are debates all over asking why we sent our troops to that place. Why are our troops getting killed? Why do we need to ask all these questions? We must all die one way or the other whether we are sleeping on our beds, or in operations, or just driving. For these seven soldiers, they died gallantly. Those of us in uniform know that when we joined this noble profession to defend our nation and protect the interest of that nation, there will be several tribulations.
"The military in operations is prone to casualties but no one really plans to be killed or even to die. The military calling often requires the supreme sacrifice. However, we always do hope that we will serve our country gallantly, retire and at old age tell our grand children of our exploits. For these bodies lying before us, they don't have such dreams any more. Today, we are gathered to pay tribute to them, seven very gallant soldiers who died in the pursuit of peace in Africa. They died serving the interest of Nigeria in Sudan. We mourn them deeply and pray for the families they left behind. We know how painful it is to lose loved ones.
"When their colleagues return from Sudan, they will not be there to share the warmth of returning home, they will not be there to see the joy of their families. Our colleagues are going back to mother earth, no matter what we do, no matter the speeches we make, no matter the prayers they will not come back to us, what can we say but to say goodbye to them. We promise that the circumstances of your death will only give us more resolve. Wherever Nigeria sends us, we will go. We have seen today by this crowd, we are assured of the support of our nation and in fact to show resolve, by Monday, Nigerians will go back to occupy the position in Haskanita in strength, daring whoever to come and attack us again."
Meanwhile, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua said during the burial that Nigeria would continue to play an integral role in the world and particularly in the African sub-region in maintaining peace and stability.
Represented by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, the President said: "We reaffirm our commitment to peace and stability in our sub-region and to the world at large and to say that this is the sacrifice that Nigeria is making to the world. We should view this loss of these gallant soldiers as a badge of honour. Nigeria will continue to play integral roles in the world and particularly in the African sub-region in maintaining peace and stability. And wherever we are called and wherever we feel is necessary to be, Nigeria will be there.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
"We are very proud of the role we are playing in the international arena as we have seen in Burma recently. In spite of all odds and the dangers, one of our own, Ibrahim Gambari is shuttling back and forth for the UN to bring peace to that region. And that is why our countrymen and women should know that there is no sacrifice greater that what Nigeria will make to uphold the dignity of the African man. These losses in Sudan are not in vain and these gallant officers lying here before us have really paid their ultimate sacrifice and have received the ultimate reward because not every Nigerian will have the privilege of being buried here. They have been immortalised," Yar'Adua said.
Nigeria, the biggest troop contributor to African peacekeeping missions, suffered the heaviest loss last Sunday when rebels overran Nigerian position in Darfur. Three other soldiers from three other countries were also killed during the attack.
