9/11: Honouring victims 22 years later, including Godwin Ajala

The United States is marking the 22nd anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

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On every anniversary, the names of the victims who died in the Trade Centers are read aloud and services are also held at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the site of the fourth plane crash.

President Biden, who is returning to Washington, D.C., following a trip overseas to India and Vietnam, is set to speak later today at a ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, while Vice President Kamala Harris is among the elected officials who will attend events at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City.

Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost when terrorists who hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

A fourth plane, United Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after heroic passengers bravely overpowered the hijackers, preventing further devastation.

Among the victims of these senseless attacks were three Nigerians, one of whom is Godwin Ajala, a qualified lawyer who hailed from Ebonyi State.

Ajala was working as an Access Control Officer in one of the World Trade Centre buildings during the attack and assisted many people to safety before falling into a coma and passing away the following Sunday.

Maine’s delegation has issued a statement to commemorate the victims, including six Mainers who lives were tragically cut short, and honor the survivors of the September 11th attacks.

In observance of Presidentially directed remembrance, Governor Janet Mills has ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff statewide on Monday.

“We pause to remember and honor the victims and survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks, including those from Maine, whose lives were cut short on that awful day.

“We also pay tribute to the service of the first responders whose actions saved the lives of many, and we remember, with great reverence and respect, those heroes who gave their lives to save others.

“In these times of division, may we remember and recommit to the unity and shared purpose that guided us all through those difficult and dark hours,” Governor Mills said.

Today is officially called “Patriot Day,” a national day of service and remembrance that commemorates the catastrophic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Communities across the country are paying tribute with moments of silence, tolling bells, candlelight vigils and other activities. In Columbus, Indiana, 911 dispatchers broadcast a remembrance message to police, fire and EMS radios throughout the 50,000-person city, which also holds a public memorial ceremony.

A few days ago, that remains of two more individuals who tragically perished on that day have been identified, as advancements in technology have allowed for the continued identification of victims from the 9/11 attacks.

This brings the total number of identified World Trade Center victims to 1,649.

Using DNA sequencing to test fragments from the bodies discovered in the rubble and faster turnaround times due to advancement in technology, remains that had tested negative for identifiable DNA can now be identified.

The same methods are used to identify missing service members in the US military, as well as to test the remains of more than 100 people who died during the wildfires in Maui last month.