The mother of a serving soldier has lamented the alleged suffering of her son on the battlefield, accusing authorities of neglecting troops deployed to fight insurgents across Nigeria.
The widow also alleged that the benefits of her late husband, who served in the military for 36 years, have yet to be paid.
Speaking in a viral video shared on Facebook, the woman appealed to the Federal Government and military authorities to address the welfare challenges faced by soldiers deployed to the frontlines.
The video surfaced amid growing concerns about the safety and welfare of Nigerian troops involved in counterinsurgency operations against Boko Haram, particularly in the North-East where soldiers often operate in forests and remote locations for long periods.
In the emotional video, the woman appealed to authorities not to abandon soldiers fighting insurgency, noting that many of them are operating under difficult conditions in forests across the country. She disclosed that her son had contacted her from the battlefield in tears over the situation.
The widow further stated that she had advised her son to return home if he could no longer endure the harsh conditions, stressing that she would rather have him alive than lose him in the conflict.
She also accused Nigerian leaders of neglecting the welfare of soldiers, alleging that troops were being left to suffer while risking their lives on the battlefield.
The woman appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene and improve the welfare and safety of soldiers deployed in combat operations.
She also revealed that her late husband served in the Nigerian Army for 36 years but claimed that his outstanding benefits had yet to be paid, expressing hope that justice would be done for her family.
According to her, ““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,
“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,
“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,” .
When contacted, the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyechi Anele, said the army would require details of the soldier involved in the complaint before taking any action, noting that the video did not provide enough information to identify the individual being referred to. NAN
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