Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday called on Federal Government to accelerate the disbursement of all benefits accruable to the families of Lt. Col. Muhammed Abu-Ali and six others who were killed in the cause of fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
Other six soldiers killed alongside Abu-Ali who was the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion were Sgt. Mu’azu Ibrahim, Sgt. Husain Jafaru, Sgt. Bassey Okon, Cpl. Chukwu Simon, Able Seaman Patrick Paul and Pvt. Salisu Lawal.
The lawmakers also urged the military authorities to give posthumous promotions to Abu-Ali and other soldiers to the next rank, for their heroic feats in combating the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of the motion sponsored by Abdussamad Dasuki (APC-Sokoto), who condemned the activities of the insurgents.
While leading the debate on the motion on matter of urgent public importance, Dasuki stressed the need to immortalise Abu-Ali and six others who died in the line of duty on November 4, 2016, when Boko Haram terrorists attacked their location in Mallam Fatori, Borno State.”
Dasuki in the motion stated that, “Nigerians are now United in grief in recognition of the heroic feats of the casualties, among them Lt. Colonel Muhammad Abu-Ali.
“Since his death, Lt. Colonel Abu Ali has been a subject of never-ending inspirational stories in the media and private interactions as Nigerians fondly remembered his role in the liberations of towns once captured by the insurgents.
“The death of Lt. Colonel Ali and six other soldiers is an unfortunate incident capable of demoralising other troops and arming their killers with a strong tool of derisory propaganda.”
Dasuki urged Federal Government to offer the spouses of the slain officers automatic employment and scholarship to their children to the highest level.
In recognition of their uncommon bravery and service in protecting the country’s territorial integrity, the lawmakers urged the Federal Government to immortalise Lt. Colonel Abu-Ali by naming a befitting national monument or institution in his honour.
To this end, the House mandated the Committee on Defence to ensure compliance with the resolution.
Similarly, the House resolved that the joint Committee on Army and Defence should visit the families of the dead soldiers and ensure regular redeployment of officers from various operation fields.
