The bodies of 20 deceased Nigerian Armed Forces personnel killed in action and in the recent crash of the Nigerian Air Force MI-171E Helicopter in Niger were laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery Abuja in line with military tradition.
The burial ceremony of the deceased personnel is a mark of honour for their gallantry and sacrifice in defense of the nation.
Some of the fallen heroes had since been buried in other locations, while the bodies of the 20 deceased personnel arrived at the cemetery from Kaduna on Friday noon for the funeral.
The event involved laying of wreath by Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and presentation of National Flag to next-of-kin of the deceased personnel by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa and service chiefs.
Recall that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed in an ambush in Zungeru general area of Niger state while seven were wounded in action.
The NAF helicopter was on a mission to evacuate the deceased and wounded troops when it crashed at Chukuba area of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state on Aug. 13.
The crashed helicopter was carrying 14 bodies of the previously killed soldiers and seven wounded, two pilots and two crew members.
Among those that attended the event are families and friends of the fallen heroes, while Governors of Kaduna and Niger States were represented at the funeral.
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