LAGOS — Emotions ran high, yesterday, at the 81 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Victoria Island, Lagos, as widows of military personnel killed by members of the Boko Haram sect last month in Maiduguiri, Borno State were presented a cheque of N1 million each.
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The widows, numbering 12, majority of whom were between 20 and 30 years, including their children, broke down in uncontrollable tears.
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Presenting the cheques, General Officer Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Major General Abel Umahi, said the compensation was from the Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, as part of succor to cushion the effect of the loss on their next-of-kin.
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Describing the moment as a solemn one, he said the deceased soldiers from the 174 Battalion died in active service so that majority of Nigerians could live in peace.
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He said aside the N1 million compensation by the Borno State governor, the Nigerian Army had undertaken a number of things such as payment of benefits accrued to the deceased as well as taking responsibility of the deceased's children academic pursuit, particularly those below 18 years.
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He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to do all within its powers to comfort the bereaved families.