The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday paid tribute to soldiers killed in the recent attack on a military formation in Kukawa, Borno State, expressing deep concern over the deadly assault.
Lawmakers observed a minute of silence in honour of the fallen troops following a motion moved by Mohammed Monguno during plenary in Abuja.
Presenting the motion, Monguno said suspected insurgents carried out the coordinated attack in the early hours of March 9, targeting soldiers stationed in Kukawa Local Government Area.
He explained that the attackers advanced from multiple directions, engaging troops in a fierce battle that lasted nearly 24 hours, although the soldiers fought back courageously.
The senator also expressed sorrow over the death of Lt.-Col. Umar Farouq, describing him as instrumental in restoring stability in Kukawa after insurgents previously overran the town.
Monguno further stated that another community, Doro in Kukawa Local Government Area, was attacked by insurgents on Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of one soldier.
“Even this morning, as I came to present this motion, I received reports of another attack,” he said.
The lawmaker, however, commended the courage and sacrifice of the officers and soldiers defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting communities from insurgent violence.
“We salute their bravery, determination and zeal. Their efforts have helped reclaim territories once firmly controlled by Boko Haram insurgents,” Monguno said.
Seconding the motion, Sen Shehu Lawal (APC Borno Central) said that the renewed resurgence of insurgency in Borno had reached an alarming rate, adding that something needed to be done urgently.
“I also want to commend the military for not abdicating their responsibility. They stood firm to fight this insurgency with a view to allowing our people to sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.
The senate, thereafter, observed a minute of silence in honour of the soldiers who, it said, paid the supreme sacrifice while defending the country from insurgent attacks.
The senate also commended the troops of Operation Hadin Kai for their resilience and commitment to safeguarding communities across Nigeria’s troubled North-East zone.
The lawmakers also urged the Nigerian Armed Forces to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and logistics support to strengthen the ongoing efforts aimed at ending insurgency.
Concluding the deliberations, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended Monguno for his support to the Nigerian army in the North-East zone.
Akpabio said that President Bola Tinubu was doing his best to deal with insecurity in the country.