Defence Headquarters reveals names, faces of fallen heroes in Delta clash

In a tragic turn of events, the Defence Headquarters has unveiled the identities and images of the commanding officer, two majors, a captain, and 13 soldiers who lost their lives during a confrontation with unidentified ‘armed men’ in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

The disclosure came through an official announcement on Monday via its designated X account.

These brave soldiers, who were part of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, were deployed on a peacekeeping mission to mediate a communal dispute between Okuama and Okoloba, neighboring communities within the state.

According to accounts from community members, the military personnel allegedly resorted to gunfire during a peace negotiation, resulting in the tragic deaths of approximately 50 individuals. Subsequently, reprisals saw their communities ravaged by fire.

Under the leadership of Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, the Joint Task Force operating under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division recovered the bodies of 15 soldiers. Shockingly, some of the recovered bodies showed signs of mutilation, with severed heads and missing vital organs.

The bodies of the commanding officer and two majors were discovered floating near the river bank at the NDDC jetty in the community.

In response to this appalling incident, the Ministry of Defence issued a stern condemnation, vowing to hold accountable anyone found culpable for perpetrating such heinous crimes against military personnel. Full authority has been granted to ensure justice prevails in the face of this grievous loss.

Below are the names of the fallen heroes:

1. Lt Col Ah Ali Command Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion Nigerian Army
2. Maj SD Shafa (N/13976)
3. Maj DE Obi (N/14395)
4. Capt U Zakari (N/16348)
5. SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974)
6. Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274)
7. Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853)
8. LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844)
9. LCpl Sole Opeyemi (17NA/760719)
10. LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290)
11. LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653)
12. LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191)
13. Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079)
14. Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911)
15. Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162)
16. Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079)
17. Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795)