65,000 Soldiers For ‘DNA Banking’

Soon, the ever-popular ‘Unknown Soldier’ and mass burial resulting from the inability of medical personnel to identify members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, who die in certain circumstances would be consigned to history with the introduction of latest medical technology.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has built a molecular laboratory complex, the DNA Banking and Analysis Centre in Abuja, which would be commissioned before the end of March.

A member of the DHQ visiting team to the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos, Lt. Commander Livinus Ukachukwu of the DNA Centre, said mass burial and the inability of medical personnel to identify the exact identity of soldiers, who die on active service in the Nigerian Armed Forces, would now be solved with advancement in science and technology.

Ukachukwu said after the Potiskum carnage in which a military truck conveying soldiers on their way back to base, collided with a fuel truck was burnt and the men beyond recognition, a committee was set up to determine the best way to identify deceased persons.

The committee, he revealed, came up with the recommendation that led to the establishment of the laboratory.

For optimal usage of the centre, Ukachukwu disclosed that about 65,000 soldiers already have their DNA materials in the Centre’s bank from which any necessary identification would be carried out.

He said other services that can be offered, even to the public; include proof of paternity, forensics with respect to criminal matters and researches as deemed necessary by the Army Command.

Saturday 10 February 2013

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