Soldier’s Family Raises Alarm Over Neglect, Unpaid Benefits

The mother of a serving soldier has raised concerns over the alleged hardship faced by troops battling insurgents, accusing authorities of neglecting soldiers deployed to the frontlines across Nigeria.

The widow also claimed that the entitlements of her late husband, who served in the Nigerian military for 36 years, have yet to be paid.

In a viral video shared on Facebook, the woman, speaking in Pidgin English, appealed to the federal government and military authorities to address the welfare challenges confronting soldiers engaged in combat operations.

The video surfaced amid growing concerns about the welfare and safety of Nigerian troops fighting insurgency, particularly in the North-East region of the country where prolonged conflict has kept soldiers stationed in forests and remote locations for extended periods.

Over the years, families of military personnel have repeatedly complained about the harsh conditions faced by soldiers on the battlefield and what they describe as inadequate support from authorities.

In the emotional video, the widow said she had advised her son to return home if he could no longer endure the situation at the frontlines.

“We are begging you people; our children are in the bush. I tell my son if e no fit, come back home, God will feed us. My husband do Army work 36 years, they never encountered this thing, but small children are suffering in the bush,” she said.

She further accused Nigerian leaders of abandoning soldiers, alleging that troops were left to suffer in forests across the country. According to her, her son called her from the battlefield in tears.

“Una take our children dey make money. Nigerian leaders, it will never better for you people. I tell my son if you not fit, come back home, no be by force. Make I even see my son dead body. Nigeria government, please do something about our children in the bush.

“Please, I be old soldier wife. My son join Army, e dey inside bush crying. Please Nigeria, we are begging you people, make una no leave our children to die every day. Una dey sell our children to take dey make money, and then they are dying in the bush,” she said.

Expressing frustration, the widow called for divine intervention, saying, “God of revenger, revenge for our children. I am saying this with heartbreak. To see a soldier crying like this. God of vengeance rise.”

She also alleged that her late husband’s retirement benefits remain unpaid despite his 36 years of service.

“My husband do 36 years for this army, but still till today, his remaining money say if dem no pay, soldier go useless the money. Till today my husband money is still there hanging in their hand. The God of revengers, the God of widows will stand for me; he will stand for my pikin in the bush,” she said.

According to enquiries by the Punch, the Director of Army Public Relations of the Nigerian Army, Onyechi Anele, said the army would require the identity of the soldier mentioned in the video before it could investigate the claims.

“Who is the son? If I get the details of the son, I will find out. This video that you sent to me, I have seen it before. She just said ‘my son.’ My son can be anybody,” Anele said.