Navy buries officer killed by Boko Haram in Bayelsa

The Nigerian Navy has buried the 25-year-old Seaman Paul Amaseimogha, who died while fighting the Boko Haram insurgents in the north- eastern part of the country. At the burial in Opume community, Bayelsa State, on Saturday, colleagues and relatives of Amaseimogha, betrayed emotions as they broke down in tears. Amaseimogha, who was killed at the battlefield in Borno State in May, was buried according to the tradition of the Nigerian Navy. The deceased Seaman was among the young soldiers trained on counter terrorism in Belarus and deployed in Borno to flush out the Boko Haram insurgents. He was, however, attacked and killed by the insurgents. His remains were brought home for burial following a request by his family. Residents of the Otu-Eko compound in Opume could not hold back tears as the remains of Amaseimogha were driven to the community by the Navy for interment. The father of the late Rating, his mother, Darling; twin brother, Silas; and his fiancée, Yusuf Emma- Ojo, cried uncontrollably throughout the brief funeral service. Elders in the community rained curses on Boko Haram and persons sponsoring the terror group. All the commanding officers of the Central Naval Command attended the event with the Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, representing the Chief of Naval Staff. Among the senior naval officers present were Commodores A.K. Owo-Chuks, B. Babagbale, C.A. Ofor, F.O. Teimisan, U.B. Onyia and M.A. Eno. Ogoigbe, who read the naval citation of the slain rating, described his death as a great loss to his family, the Navy and the country. He described the late Amaseimogha as a “gentleman rating, gallant and dedicated son of Nigeria.” He said the deceased laid down his life so that the country could have peace, adding that he believed in the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria. Ogoigbe said, “He died fighting to ensure a peaceful Nigeria. Because of the insurgency, he was among the people sent for special training in Belarus. He did very well. He came out and was deployed happily. “We never expected he would die. None of us that join the military look forward to death. He is a hero. He paid the ultimate price for Nigeria. Alex has gone to sleep. He has done his bit for Nigeria. We are very proud of him. “On behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy, I wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to the family, the great people of Opume and Bayelsa for giving us a worthy son that contributed immensely to ensure peace.” The FOC presented the deceased military accoutrement comprising shoes, cap and naval flag to Silas, the late rating’s next of kin. He also gave a cash of N250,000 from the CNS to the family for the burial expenses and asked Silas to begin the process of collecting all the entitlements of his late brother.