By Udesinanna Stephen
Following the Nigeria Army helicopter crash at Chukuba Village near Shiroro, Niger State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commiserated, saying that the officers and men paid the ultimate price.
Tinubu said this lately on his Twitter handle @OfficialABAT while sharing his condolence message, adding that the tragic loss of the officers and soldiers brought immense sadness to him.
“The MI 171 Helicopter carrying casualties of bandits’ ambush of Soldiers in Zenguru, Wushishi LGA of the state, crashed in Chukuba, Shiroro LGA. No fewer than 21 soldiers and officers were reportedly killed, while over 50 bandits were also eliminated in the Sunday ambush”, the Vanguard reported.
Tinubu said, “These officers and men were answering the call of duty while on an evacuation mission. In their dedicated service to our beloved country, they paid the ultimate price.
“While we mourn their untimely departure, we will forever remember them, not just as servicemen, but as national heroes who gave their all for the peace and security of our country.
“They will always be remembered as courageous men who did not consider the perils and dangers of their national duty as paramount to their sacred mandate of ensuring that their fellow countrymen and women can live in peace. We salute their sacrifice, devotion and loyalty to our dear nation – the nation they loved and served to the end.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, I extend my condolences to their families, the Chief of Defense Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the entire Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”