Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has condoled with the families of soldiers who died on Saturday during a battle with Boko Haram insurgents in Mainok, a town along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.
Zulum, in a statement on Monday by his spokesperson, Malam Isa Gusau, described the fallen soldiers as heroes, who died protecting the people of Borno and defending Nigeria’s sovereignty.
He said: “Regardless of what happened in Mainok and how it happened as we collectively review the incident, we must first, and importantly, recognize that those soldiers who lost their lives at the weekend were fellow Nigerians; they were parents of children who are now orphans, husbands to wives who are now widows, and loved ones to families and friends now bereaved.
“They were soldiers of our armed forces who chose out of love for our country, to risk their lives in trying to keep us as safe and to protect the sovereignty of our country. We mourn these heroic soldiers and anyone caught at the unfortunate setback in Mainok.
“We salute these fallen soldiers for their immeasurable sacrifices and we pray for the repose of their souls. We mourn with the families of these soldiers; we share their grief, commiserate with them and commiserate with the Nigerian military.”
The spokesperson, who said his boss was seriously disturbed by the incident, said it had become worrisome that the insurgents had ceaselessly operated along Maiduguri-Damaturu road, impacting negatively on the safety of travelers and residents.
He said: “Governor Zulum is assuring the people of Borno that the setback in Mainok will not deter the state government from its continued collaborative efforts towards ending the insurgency.”
He called on the military, other armed forces and volunteers at battle fronts to remain resolute, while urging all stakeholders at the highest levels to continually approach equipping and supporting frontline troops with the fear of God, “bearing in mind that everyone will one day account for his or her doing or misdoing.”
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