•Two soldiers slump in Anambra
•Okorocha to recruit ex-servicemen
•Ikpeazu to support security agencies
Two military personnel – a soldier and Naval officer – slumped at the parade ground yesterday in Anambra State at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.
Last night, the status of their health was uncertain.
A medical team, including Commissioner for Health Dr Josephat Akabuike attended to them before they were rushed to an undisclosed hospital.
A military officer, who pleaded for anonymity, said the victims might have been affected by ‘sun-stroke’.
“It’s not unusual to see such occurrence during parades, more so under intense sunshine. We hope they would come back in the end,” he said.
Dr Akabuike, however, declined to speak.
“Go on with your investigation. I will get back to you later,” he said.
When The Nation visited the Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka, security was heavy, but a source said their condition was critical
“The soldier here is in a critical condition. He fell flat on his forehead, hitting the floor.
“He is at the intensive unit and we pray he would survive. We suspect he had malignant malaria which aggravated his condition.”
Governor Willie Obiano, after laying the wreath, prayed for the souls of the departed and enjoined Nigerians to remember families of fallen heroes.
He urged the Armed Forces to continue to with the courage to defend the country.
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has said his government would recruit ex-servicemen into as volunteer workers.
The governor, who promised to build a befitting headquarters for the legionnaires, said the gesture will help the ex-servicemen conduct their affairs well, and to remind those in power of the need to relate with the legionnaires “especially at this painful moment of their life”.
His words: “We are gathered here today to give honour to who it is due, and to pay our respect to fallen heroes. The greatest love that a man can show is that he dies to save his friend, and the greatest love a soldier can show to his country is that he dies to save its territory. This calls for patriotism and nationalism is simply the love for one’s country.
“This is a very difficult moment in the history of the country, but suffice to say that we are consoled by the fact that we have gallant soldiers who are ready to lay their lives to save our country.
“Mine today, is to salute all of you, encourage and urge you to continue doing this job without counting cost of returns. A hero to me is that man who fights without counting the cost of return, who is willing to make sacrifice of all sorts only to serve humanity. We are proud of the Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria because you have not let us down.”
Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu promised to continue to partner the Nigeria Legion and other security agencies to sustain the prevailing peace and security in the state.
Ikpeazu, who was represented by his deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu, hailed the contributions of the Armed Forces in stemming activities of Boko Haram insurgents, and maintaining national, regional and global peace and security.
The governor said the government would provide the legion a land at Ubani Ibeku to build its permanent secretariat, and more.
