Five Nigerian AirForce (NAF) crew members who died in the NAF Mi-35M helicopter crash in Borno State on January 2 were on Tuesday buried at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
The helicopter crashed while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak, Borno, killing Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob – pilot-in-command, Flight Lt- Kaltho Paul Kilyofas – co-pilot, Sgt. Auwal Ibrahim – flight technician, Lance Corporal Adamu Nura – gunner and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael – gunner.
The remains of the officers were laid to rest at 11:20 am with full military honours, amidst wailing by family members, relatives and sympathisers.
Wreaths were laid by the chief of air staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; minister of defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, and the wives of some of the officers.
The air chief also presented the national colours to the families of the deceased crew members.
The late officers were honoured with 21 gun salute (firing of volley) as well as the last post.
Abubakar, in his remarks at the internment ceremony, said that the late officers died for the peace and unity of Nigeria.
“These gallant heroes lost their lives in the pursuit of the peace which we all enjoy and often take for granted. We salute the courage of these young men, whose lot it became to give their lives for this purpose.
“The loss of these courageous and professional gentlemen must spur the rest of us not only to rededicate ourselves in the service of our Nation, but also to expose and fight all agents of destabilization and extremism in our society.
“We must throw in everything we have to this fight to ensure that our departed colleagues did not die in vain.
“We must do everything possible to bring the ongoing insurgency in the North East to a speedy end that is favourable to our nation.
“I am indeed deeply touched and saddened by the price which our patriots had to pay in this needless fight against insurgency.
“Our departed heroes fought that we live in a safe and secure Nigeria where the freedom of worship and association of one and all are guaranteed under one indivisible nation,” Abubakar said.
He consoled with the families of the deceased, noting that “I know Nigerians everywhere join me in praying for you as you shoulder this heavy burden of grief.
“May time ease the soaring pain of today and please note that the entire nation shares this grief with you.
“There can be no better consolation than the knowledge that the nation grieves with you on the loss of these amiable and patriotic Nigerians, who paid the supreme price in the course of their duty to the fatherland,” he said.
