Army Presents Cheques To Families Of Soldiers Killed By Boko Haram

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, May 21st, 2014

Jacob Oyewale, Abuja

To reduce the burden of families of slain soldiers in the fight against Boko haram insurgency in north east on, the Nigerian Army Wednesday in Abuja presented cheques to Ten Next of Kins of the deceased soldiers.

The Managing Director of Nigerian Army Welfare Limited, Maj.-Gen. Bitus Kwaji, presented the cheques on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.

Kwaji said the COAS was very passionate about the immediate release of the cheques to NOKs of slain soldiers, but stated that the documentation by families led to the delay.

The soldier died on battlefield while participating in fighting terrorists as a result of state of emergency declared by Federal Government in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states since 2013.

He disclosed that the payments include: Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Payment, Benevolent Fund, and the Nigerian Army Life Policy.

He noted that the payment was part of the series of payments the army would be making to NOKs before the actual payment of the death benefit by the Military Pension Board.

Kwaji said “This payment we are making today is to ensure that the families of the deceased have something to live on before they get the death benefit.

“The payment would have been made since April but the documents and the NOKs were not available. That is why the money is being paid now.

“It took us quite some time before we could get the particulars of the NOKs.

Mrs Hadiza Marwa, who responded on behalf of the NOKs thanked the army for considering the welfare of the families of those who had dedicated their lives to the service of their father land.

She added timely payment of benefits of fallen soldiers will improve lives of family members left behind and boost Morale of officers in the battle field.