N12m compensation for slain soldiers widows

General Officer  Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Major General Abel Umahi, presented a cheque of  1million naira each  to 12 widows of military personnel killed by members of the Boko Haram sect last month in Maiduguri, he  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.

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.

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.

He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to do all within its powers to comfort the bereaved families.

GOC warns  extended families

Advising the widows to use the money given to them wisely, Umahi, however,  cautioned extended families not to arm-twist the widows of their benefits.

“Widows and children of the fallen soldiers are targets of this gesture. It is meant for wives and children, not for extended family members. The money should be used to carter for the need of the wives and children of the deceased. It is not for burial because the Nigerian Army had taken care of all the burial responsibilities.”