Loved ones of soldiers killed by militants in North-East Nigeria have call on the government for peace in the region. The relatives also appeal to the federal government to provide adequate arms and ammunition that will improve the military’s personnel welfare.
The families made the statement following the recent attack on a military base in Borno, claiming the lives of 5 soldiers. One of the widows, disclose that she lost her husband about three months ago during an attack on the soldiers.
According to her, the soldiers face terrorists without proper weapons and other necessities including shelter and food. The woman expressed that the government is wasting the lives of innocent soldiers fighting terrorists.
She stressed that since her husband’s death, the military has yet to pay any compensation to the family. The widow emphasized that the family had been struggling to survive, calling on the government to pay the soldier’s entitlement.
Similarly, a Gombe indigene, Shamsudeen Abdullah, who lost his brother, Kamaludeen Abdullahi, lamented that his family is in disarray. He stated that life has been tough without his brother, known for being supportive of his family members.
Abdullahi disclosed that the victim had applied for reposting out of the state before he was killed by insurgents. The militants had reportedly invaded the Forward Operating Base in the early hours of that day, looting weapons and overpowering soldiers on duty.
According to military sources, soldiers who witnessed the attack abandoned their posts and returned to their hometowns for safety.
On the flip side, an anonymous retired colonel of the Nigerian Army, speaking on the issue, disclosed ways to avoid such incidents in the future. The retired colonel noted that the government must tackle corruption and improve the army’s welfare for national security.
