Another Nigerian soldier dies in Darfur

Clement Idoko, Abuja - 06.02.2008

The crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan has claimed the life of one more Nigerian soldier serving in the African Union Peace Mission trying to restore peace.

Corporal Martins Mathias, who died on December 11, 2007, was buried on Tuesday at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, amid tears and wailing by the family.

The late Corporal Mathias was among the eight Nigerian soldiers who sustained injuries when a Sudanese armed group attacked their base at Haskanita on September 29, 2007, leaving seven other soldiers dead.

He had been hospitalised in Khartoum since then, but died on Tuesday, December 11, 2007. Corporal Mathias (42), Number 79NA/25612 CPL, was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, four children and Mr. Timothy Mathias, his younger brother.

His wife broke down uncontrollably when the pallbearers were to lower the casket into the grave. While lamenting the death of her husband, she said “I will live never to forget my husband because there is nobody to be compared to him. He was nice and caring.”

Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike, who represented the Chief of Defence Staff, General Andrew Azazi, said the death of Mathias should inspire others in the military to render selfless service to the nation.