I just learnt something extremely shocking: Col. D. C. Bako, who was sadly killed by Boko Haram on Monday, didn’t die alone. Three other soldiers died in the ambush. But their death wasn’t announced and their corpses kept aside at the burial attended by dignitaries and the press.

The other soldiers- two Lance Corporals and a Private - weren’t honoured simply because they were in the lower rank so their lives weren’t worthy enough. Col. D. C. Bako was honoured and his family given a house and N20m (which is great), but the rest weren’t even recognized.

These gallant men who paid the supreme sacrificed in their bid to keep us safe should’ve been honoured even just because they died together with an officer, but no. What message will this send to the families of these fallen soldiers? What signal will it send the boots on ground?

Some have suggested that Gov. Zulum has given the families of the rest N2m each, but I didn’t read this anywhere. Why was their death not announced? Why were they not showed at the burial? Why were they skipped in the army’s announcement of Col. Bako’s death and Gov. Zulum’s tribute?

Audu Bulama Bukarti.

Too bad, I pray God grant them eternal rest.