The Nigerian Army has honoured a soldier who rescued 27 students from burning vehicle in Zaira, Kaduna State, two and half years after the incident.

Private Isa Umar of the Nigerian Army School of Legal Services, Basawa, Zaria reportedly rescued the students who were trapped in their school bus which caught fire on their way home on February 2018.

Private Umar – who is still nursing injuries he sustained on his two hands and the whole body while rescuing the students – was honoured alongside 15 others – seven officers and eight soldiers – as part of activities to mark the 2020 Nigerian Army Day.

WuzupNigeria reports that the army personnel were honoured for their bravery, ingenuity and exemplary discipline.

Those honoured are Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh; Brig. Gen. Babatunde Alaya, Col D. Dieke, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Etang, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Muhammed, Lt. Col. Yusuf Salisu, Capt Tofa Ibrahim and Warrant Officers Ogunbiyi David, Musa Isa, Lawan Muazu, and Saigem Makama.

Others are Staff Sergeant Rabe Aliyu, Staff Sergeant Suleiman Yunusa, Sergeant Agada Okoafor and Lance Corporal Wunti Koni (A lady).

The Defence Minister, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi ( retd), announced a donation of N500,00 for Private Umar shortly after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Tukur Buratai, decorated all the honourees.

The Minister, in his address at the occasion, said his Ministry would not shirk in its responsibility of providing adequate support including logistics to the Nigerian Army.

He said,

“It is our responsibility to provide necessary support and logistics to enable the Nigerian Army perform its constitutional roles and duties and we shall continue to do so.”

Lt. Gen. Buratai, in his address, also maintained that he had improved on what he met on ground when he assumed duty as the Chief of Army Staff.

He said,

“I have modernized the Nigerian Army. We are able to achieve what we have achieved because of the support and the motivation of President Muhammadu Buhari. We shall remain eternally grateful to him, members of the National Assembly and all Nigerians for our achievements. “