Dear President Buhari,

You came into power in part on a pledge to turn around the fight against Boko Haram, one that had been led to fester for far too long. You invoked the memories of your own fight against the Maitatsine when you were head of state, a fight you personally led, to shatter the foothold that extremist group had gained in Nigerian society.

You said that you had done it before, and you will do it again. You were elected in part on that promise, and just as you said, things improved and people could start returning to their homes. The current situation with the internally displaced persons has not been handled to the same level, but that is a matter for another article.

You gave the orders and made the changes you thought were necessary to achieve victory on the battlefield, and the soldiers on the frontlines were instrumental to those victories. Chief among those soldiers was Muhammed Abu-Ali, who used his tank to clear the way for his advancing colleagues to recapture territory and free captives.

His bravery on the battlefield saw his double elevation from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, to the acclaim of those who fought alongside him, and many more far away.

He died last Friday, along with six others, doing his job: fighting for his country. He left a wife and child behind, as well as dazed comrades and a sad nation who heard tales of his valour. You extended your condolences, but you weren’t at his funeral. You delegated your Chief of Staff to go in your stead.

It is true that Adams Oshiomhole, outgoing governor of Edo state, is one of your staunchest supporters. It is true that this is your first time in the state since you became President. It is probably also true that this trip was planned days or even weeks in advance, and the deaths of those soldiers couldn’t have been foreseen.

However, nothing suggests that those projects could not have waited an extra day, for you to pay your respects to those brave men. The status afforded the President of Nigeria is such that no other personality, not even the Vice President or Chief of Staff, carries the same weight.

Mr. President, you should have been there. Lieutenant Colonel Abu-Ali led from the front, just like you did in the 1980s. He raised the morale of his men and led them on to successful exploits to rid our territory of terrorists.

Some events are extraordinary enough to upend already well-laid plans. There are many examples of world leaders cutting short overseas trips in the event of natural disasters or terrorist attacks back home.

This was one of such events. A man of such uncommon bravery surely deserved the presence of his commander-in-chief at his funeral, under whose orders he has fought for the last 18 months.

That you did not attend is a missed opportunity. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.