Israel Umoh
It looked like a bizarre spectacle of the century. Tears and drizzles interwove as the Salvation Army in Akwa Ibom State paraded 13 coffins of its slain officers and members in a day during a solemn funeral service held at Eket Township Sports Stadium on Friday.
As the coffins were rolled out and lowered into ambulances en route for burial in their respective hometowns, the surging crowd sobbed uncontrollably.
The 13 (a little girl, 11 officers and one DSL member) were allegedly killed by Dangote truck driver at Ovia bridgehead along Lagos-Benin Expressway on June 29 when they were returning to Akwa Ibom after council’s meeting for officers in Lagos.
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The coffins adorned with The Salvation Army flag and painted in milky colours were taken to different villages of the deceased for burial.
The deceased included little Gabriella Etukakpan, Majors Unyime and Mary Ekere, Majors Sunday & Ofonime Sampson; Major & Lieutenant Emem & Nseobong Obot; and Lt. Margaret Nsima Udoh.
Others were Major Emem Udobong, Captains Edet & Mfonobong Akpan Umana, Lieutenant James Etukakpan, and DSL Christian Etukakpan.
Though the service began after 11 a.m. with tuneful songs to soothe frayed nerves, the rains stopped abruptly but resumed drizzling after the service as the coffins were escorted by their bereaved families to their different resting ground.
In his sermon, Keith Conrad, the International Secretary for West Africa who represented the International President, said the dead were gallant soldiers who had been promoted to glory.
Bible passages were read from John 11:20-26 and Romans 8:35-37.
According to him, they had gone to do the work of God but they died on the way on doing work of the Lord.
‘‘I came to celebrate the lives of the people who were in the forefront against spiritual darkness, men and women who fought as gallant soldiers but who died in the process of fighting.’’
He encouraged Christians to be strong and relentless in fighting to make Heaven.
Earlier, Commissioners Daniel and Tracey Kasuso, the Territorial Commissioner and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, had acknowledged the support offered by Governor Umo Eno and Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and International body the organization to the bereaved families.
