Homage to fallen soldiers in war against Boko Haram

12 warriors who died in Operations Alpha and Emergence 4 in the Far North Region on Friday November 27, 2015 received State honours in Yaounde.

 

Wailing, profound grief and solemnity amidst music from the Music regiment of the Army ushered in some 12 caskets draped in national colours, to the ceremonial ground of the Yaoundé Military Headquarters Brigade last Friday, November 27, 2015. The soldiers killed in different incidents and locations in the Far North Region in terrorist attacks by Boko Haram, were posthumously decorated by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, with medals of Valour for their ultimate sacrifice in defending the national integrity.

Captain Djinebo Albert, 2nd Class soldiers Bello Felix, Madi Joseph and Mbassoni Bosco died while serving in the Operation Alpha while Chief Sargent Ekwe Charles Ekweni, Sergeants Kouangang Boniface, Mbida Innocent Gael, Maitre Abia Knouna Simplice, 2nd Class Soldiers Oleme Eteme Clément, Yameni Nicolas, Ediba Talla Justin and Amadou Guibe were attached to Operation Emergence 4. They died in Gassama, Maroua, Mindif, Achigashia, Mora and Vreket between September and November 2015 in different Boko Haram attacks.

In his eulogy, the Commander of the 41st Motorised Infantry Brigade in Kousseri, Colonel Kuiche Roger, paid tributes to the brave men and saluted their courage by defending with loyalty their fatherland from the obscurants’ jihadists. He said their priceless sacrifice will forever remain engraved in the hearts of Cameroonians. While encouraging the defence forces with the assurance that the entire nation is behind them, the senior military officer stated that no portion of Cameroonian territory is occupied by the despicable Boko Haram sect.

Meantime, the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo and his close collaborators met with family relatives of the deceased soldiers during which he transmitted the Head of State’s condolences to the families. Minister Beti Assomo also handed financial assistance from the President of the Republic to the families to enable them give a decent burial to the departed combatants. He explained that the amount was not in any way paying for their lives or replacing their dues but rather meant to assistant them organise the funerals. The Director of Administration and Regulatory Affairs in the Minister of Defence urged the families to immediately furnish relevant documents so that the benefits of the deceased soldiers can be paid to rightful beneficiaries.