Buhari, Zulum reacts to killing of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu, others

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, has said he is extremely saddened to hear about the demise of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice in a rare display of gallantry as they tried to help their compatriots in the war against terrorists.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari, nation mourn martyred general’.

Buhari said, “Nigeria has lost brave soldiers. I salute their courage. May their souls Rest In Peace.

“General Zirkusu leaves us sad and devastated. The soldier in him will remain immortal.”

The President urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, to accept his heartfelt condolences and that of the nation, and convey the same to the members of the families of those martyred.

Onyema Nwachukwu

“I pray to the Almighty to give you and the bereaved families the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss,” he added

According to a statement signed by army spokesperson Brigadier-General Nwachukwu, the encounter took place in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

In the statement, the Army stated that the troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai were engaged in a fierce gun battle with the terrorists which also led to the death of three other soldiers.

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has reacted to the terrorists attack.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Isa Gusau, the Governor commended the military for putting up a strong defence against the terrorists.

Zulum also paid tribute to troops from neigbouring commands who mobilised to provide reinforcements during the attack.

Governor Zulum, while commiserating with the military over the loss of some military officers and personnel, thanked the fallen heroes for what he called “their supreme sacrifices to the Nigerian Nation”, declaring that “the people of Borno will remain forever grateful to them and all fallen heroes, and will remain fully supported of gallant troops currently operating in front lines”.

Zulum amid the loss of some officers and personnel, the military was able to mount heavy resistance and recorded gains which the state is proud of.

The Governor commiserated with affected residents for the trauma caused by the attack and shared the pains of anyone who may have turned victim directly and otherwise.

“Today’s unfortunate incident in Askira-Uba local government area reminds us while our military, other armed forces, volunteers and all stakeholders make combined severe efforts towards peace-building; while many insurgents surrender their arms to tow the path of peace and while reclaimed communities witness return of peace and access to livelihoods, some insurgents are hell-bent on ensuring we do not fully regain peace,” the Governor said.

“The goal of these categories of insurgents should challenge us to remain focused and ceaselessly commit ourselves to supporting our troops in many ways, particularly with logistics on the part of Government, and with credible information and prayers on the part of all of us as people of Borno State.

“We must always affirm our fates in our armed forces, while the armed forces must remain up and doing. We must always recognize what we already know that insurgents are always plotting with the elements of surprise. Our troops must redouble efforts to be ahead of insurgents.

“I salute our troops for the resistance put up today. I salute troops who mobilized to provide reinforcement. I salute the sacrifices of some officers and men we lost today and share the grieves of the immediate families and the Nigeria military.

“We thank these fallen heroes for their supreme sacrifices to the Nigerian Nation. The people of Borno will remain forever grateful to them and all fallen heroes, and will remain fully supported of gallant troops currently operating in front lines.”