Senators abandon sitting as mark of respect for 44 troops killed by Boko Haram in Borno State

SENATORS abandoned their plenary sitting yesterday as a mark of respect for the 44 soldiers attached to the 157 Task Force Battalion in Melete in Borno State killed by Boko Haram earlier this week.

On Monday, insurgents attacked the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, in Guzamak Local Government Area of Borno State, killing the soldiers and about seven local farmers. Also, a large cache of arms, ammunition and military equipment were reportedly carted away by Boko Haram fighters during the raid.

At yesterday's senate session, the atmosphere was sombre as the lawmakers took turns to condemn the monumental loss. Senators ordered its committees on the army and defence to investigate the killings and examine the welfare and wellbeing of troops engaged in counter insurgency operations.

In addition, the senators also resolved to visit officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces engaged in the counter insurgency campaign in the northeast. Their resolution followed a motion by deputy majority leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah at the instance of the senate president, in which he decried the plight of military personnel fighting the insurgency, stressing that one of the officers killed in the attack was his cousin.

After observing a minute’s silence in honour of the fallen soldiers, the lawmakers resolved to pay a condolence visit to the chief of army staff and the families of the slain troops. Senators also plan to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and the welfare of soldiers.

Deputy senate president Ike  Ekweremadu, bemoaned the hazardous tasks of men and officers of the armed forces fighting Boko Haram. He called on the federal government and the military authorities to adequately equip the personnel and address all welfare-related issues.