The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has reiterated the pledge of the Nigerian Army to sponsor the education of children of soldiers and other army personnel who lose their lives during the counter-insurgency operations in the North East.

He made the pledge through the Chief of Administration Army, Major General Adamu Abubakar, during the presentation of the Group Life Assurance cheques to the next of kins of each of the bereaved families yesterday at Army Headquarters Abuja. In his remarks, Gen Abubakar said the cheques were to provide succour to the bereaved families to cushion the economic impact caused by the loss of their bread winners.

Maj Gen Abubakar added that aside from the cheques, the Nigerian Army would sponsor four children each of the bereaved families, from primary up to the tertiary level of education. The families present at the occasion expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for showing commitment in alleviating their plight.

•Nigerian Army Photo shows the son of a late soldier, assisted by the mother, receiving a cheque . . . yesterday at the Army Headquarters.