Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Lt. Col Muhammad Abu-Ali in Kaduna.
The gallant Kogi born army officer was killed along with six of his men by Boko Haram terrorists during an ambush at Mallam Fatori in Borno State on November 4.
Accompanied by the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Imam Umar, Bello met with the widow of the deceased, Samira Abu-Ali, and the three children.
While acknowledging the improvement in the welfare of soldiers, which has resulted in the increased morale of the rank and file and a reduction in insurgency in the north-east, Bello asked that military men and women be treated with respect and dignity as they continue to sacrifice their all for our peace and unity.
“We must give honour to whom it is due and our soldiers deserve the best of everything,” he said.
“They give up their comfort, happiness and families just to keep the rest of us safe. They must be encouraged and I call on the Federal Government to make their welfare and that of the families of the soldiers that we lose top priority. No member of a soldier’s family should suffer financially when we they die.”
Bello, who was out of the country when the 36-year-old was killed, said the Kogi State Government will not only immortalise him, but will also take the responsibility for the education of his three children up to university level.
The governor had earlier denied reports that he was missing because of ill health following multiple media reports that he was flown abroad to treat an undisclosed ailment.
He had on his return from what his handlers say was a two-week vacation paid a condolence visit to Brigadier General Abu Ali, the late soldier’s father, in his palace at Bassa-Nge.
General Ali is the Etsu of Bassa Nge in Kogi State.
