Slain Soldiers: We’re Disappointed But Not Discouraged- Defence Minister

Minister of Defence,  Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (retd), on Thursday, said the Nigerian Armed Forces are deeply saddened and disappointed by the killing of soldiers in Bonta community, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State. He however assured that despite the unfortunate incident, the army will not be discourage  from carrying out its duty of protecting lives of the people.

Magashi stated this when he led the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and other top military officers to pay a courtesy visit on Governor Samuel Ortom at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, Thursday.

The Minister who expressed President Muhammadu Buhari’s displeasure over the killing of soldiers, said barbarism and anything that tries to make Nigeria ungovernable would not be accepted.”For the morale of the soldiers to be restored, perpetrators of the dastardly act must be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law. We are  also in the state to restore confidence in the troops ” he said.

Governor Ortom who expressed deep sympathies with the president and the Armed Forces over the act, said he had lost sleep since the unfortunate incident occurred.The Governor who acknowledged the enormous support and contributions of security agencies especially the military in ensuring peace in the state, said he had directed stakeholders from Konshisha Local Government Area to fish out the perpetrators.

He pledged his administration’s support and cooperation with security agencies to ensure those responsible for the dastardly act were apprehended and brought to justice, and prayed for the restoration of peace and security in all parts of the country.