Date: 2017-01-18

In keeping alive the memory of fallen men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, yesterday was not different in the book of history. AHMED 'LATEEF filed this report on the remembrance of the departed soldiers held Amusement Park, Ilorin.

There was unusual pin drop silence at Amusement Park, a popular recreational facility along Abdulwahab Folawiyo/Unity Road, Ilorin yesterday. At about 11:32am, one of the soldiers mounting guard of honour at the solemn ceremony in commemoration of the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day collapsed.

It could not be confirmed whether the soldier fell due to exhaustion but The Herald observed that the development might not be unconnected with emotions that ran high when eminent Nigerians began to pay glowing tributes to the fallen heroes.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State was first to perform the art of eulogy with laying of wreath at the cenotaph of an unknown soldier. His was followed by the state Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira, represented by the Head of Service, Hajia Zahra Omar.

The colourful wreath laying was also performed by Heads of Armed Forces formations in Kwara State including Brigadier N.F Umar for the Nigerian Army, Air Commodore T.O. Yusuf for the Nigerian Air Force and as well as a top official of Nigerian Navy.

But immediately the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Olusola Amore, stepped out after being called to lay his wreath, the soldier collapsed. There was defeaning silence while some of the colleagues of the soldier whose identity could not be ascertained quickly evacuated him from the scene for medical attention.

Although there was no disruption in the programme, the police boss thereafter took turn by laying ceremonial wreath at the cenotaph of the unknown soldier. As a symbol of respect for the fallen troops either in the war front or peacekeeping operations abroad, the chairman of Kwara State chapter of Nigerian Legion of Ex-Servicemen, Col. Yusuf Adetoro (rtd) also laid his wreath while the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Ayinke Saka; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Olatunji; state All Progressives Congress Woman Leader, Hajia Sarat Adebayo, took turn in laying the ceremonial wreath.

As if the event was not for speech making, there was absolute silence at the scene of the ceremony while Governor Ahmed and other dignitaries waited under scorching sun, looking sober throughout the period the event lasted.

Shortly after wreath laying at about 11:41am, gun wielding soldiers numbering about 10, in their fierce looking near the cenotaph, fired three gunshots each into the air as instructed. The sporadic gun salute forced flock of bats out of their nests around the Amusement Park and flew in different directions.

The gun salute was primarily to invoke the spirits of the fallen troops, who in the pursuit of peace and stability all over the world, met their untimely death. Some of those who sustained wounds in the battlefields are still to relive their ordeals.

In many of the war fought whether internally or externally instigated, Nigerian troops were recognized for their performance and everywhere in the world, they are regarded and revered.

Even the ongoing war against the dreaded members of the Boko Haram was not left out. Since present administration came on board, there has been significant improvement in the performance of the troops to finally dislodge the terrorists, who have held some parts of the North Eastern States captive.

The last straw that broke the camel's back on the counter-terrorism was the taking over of Camp Zairo in Sambisa forest, Borno State, believed to be the den of the sect. The theatre operation led to the fiercest gun battle between the troops and members of the militia. But the gallant performance was not without supreme price. Several of the soldiers dropped dead in the battle all in the name of securing the nation's territorial integrity.

However, before the commencement of the event, security personnel both in uniform and mufti were seen around Taiwo/Unity Junction and Unity/New Yidi Road Junction, keeping eagle eye.

Not only that, people going in and out of the venue were frisked to ensure that no intruder was allowed to come in.

A retired soldier, Alhaji Obalowu Muhammed, who spoke with The Herald shortly after the event, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to fast track payment of arrears of pension and gratuity to retired soldiers.

He alleged that some unknown forces were discouraging the government from offsetting the backlog of arrears owing the retirees.

"We want to appeal to the government of President Buhari to speed up the payment of our pension and gratuity. It is not fair for people like us who sacrificed our lives for this country to still be suffering. We know Mr President has good intention but some people around him want things to be done in a usual. They are very wicked. But what we can only do is to beg him to use his good office to assist us so that we can also attend to some of the problems facing us".