Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has established an Educational Trust Fund to train the Four Children of Rivers-Born, Late Colonel Ken Elemele, who fell in a Boko Haram ambush between Yobe and Borno last Wednesday.
The Governor said that the Education Trust Fund will take off with initial seed money of N30million.
Governor Wike described the death of Late Colonel Elemele as a sad loss to Rivers State and the entire country.
Theportcitynews had earlier reported that a Colonel and a Captain of the Nigerian Army were killed in an ambush laid by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno/Yobe states axis.
Three other soldiers were equally killed during the attack, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, in Charge of the 212 Battalion in the northeast, Col Ado Isa said in a statement on Friday.
Col Ado Isa who did not provide the names of the officers said the ambush happened when troops were in hot pursuit of terrorists who came to attack a military base in the area.
Col Isa said Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops from 212 Battalion deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Jakana, on Wednesday 17Th July 2019 at about 1845 hours in 7 gun trucks.
He said the terrorists fought fiercely to infiltrate the camp but were repelled, adding that a Colonel and a Captain, as well as 3 soldiers on transit from Maiduguri to Damaturu, ran into an ambush staged by the routed/fleeing terrorists from the Jakana axis which led to their unfortunate death.
However, sources told theportcitynews that the bodies of soldiers recovered after the attack included that of Colonel K. E. Elemele who was the Chief of Staff at the 29 Taskforce Brigade.
The source said late Elemele was on his way to Abuja for a course when his convoy was attacked.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the Family on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo said that the Rivers State Government will stand with the family.
Governor Wike said: “This is a sad loss of an illustrious son of Rivers State. We were expecting the emergence of another General before this unfortunate incident.
“Please accept my personal condolence and that of the good people of Rivers State. The Rivers State Government shares this grief with the family. We will stand with you through this period “.
The Governor prayed God to console the Widow and her children, saying that only God can fill the gap created by the sudden death of Late Ken Elemele.
“We urge you to put your trust in God. Be strong for your children. God will always support you at this time”, he said.
He said the Rivers State Government will be in touch with the family to ensure that their immediate needs are taken care of.
