Nigerian Army Soldier Speaks On Mistreatment, Humiliation By Authorities

In his poignant message to Naij.com, Alhaji Danbaba expresses disappointment in the way our government and military authorities are mistreating and humiliating soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

"First of all, I want the whole world to know that we, the Nigerian Military, are very brave and capable of fulfilling our responsibilities. We have done it Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, etc.

"But the era of us giving our best, sacrificing our lives for the nation that doesn’t value us the soldiers is now over.  We’re done waiting patiently, enough is enough!

"Nigeria’s leaders, however, don’t love this country. That is why they are gambling with citizens’ lives.

"We, your protectors, are thrown in the middle of a battle with an empty stomach. Our families lack simplest amenities.

"We are not cowards but we die like chickens because of our leaders’ selfish cravings to enrich themselves even at the cost of our lives and subdue our families to everlasting suffering.

"Our weapons are very poor. We buy our uniforms and our kits on our own. Is it supposed to be like that? You want the best from us how?

"We are also human beings. We have very much loved families.

"For the past couple of years, how much does a soldier earn, can his salary feed him and cover his children’s school fees? Can he even dream of building a house for himself after retirement?

"How were the bodies of those who lost their lives in battles treated? What benefits did their families receive?

"Our Army generals are deceiving the world. They have joined the politicians and help them to enslave us and indeed the entire country.

"They think the lives of simple, ordinary soldiers are useless, and it is only them and their families who have deserved good living.

"I want them to hear us: we know our left from right and we want equal treatment. Pay us our real salaries. Make our allowances be again paid by the Central Bank to each and every soldier’s account so that our so-called generals would stop cutting what is ours!"