A distraught widow and mother of a serving Nigerian soldier has cried out in a viral video, accusing the Federal Government and military authorities of abandoning troops fighting insurgents across the country.
The woman, whose late husband put in 36 years of service in the Army, also claimed that his death benefits are still being withheld till date.
Speaking passionately in Pidgin English in the clip shared on Facebook, the elderly woman begged authorities to rescue soldiers deployed in forests and remote areas, especially in the North-East where the fight against Boko Haram and other insurgents has dragged on for years.
The video has triggered fresh outrage online as families of soldiers continue to complain about poor welfare, lack of proper support, and the harsh conditions their loved ones face on the battlefield.
In the emotional clip, the widow said she had already advised her son to abandon the frontlines if the suffering becomes too much.
“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 did not hold back, accusing Nigerian leaders of using soldiers for personal gain while leaving them to die.
“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 added with visible pain.
At one point, the woman turned to God for justice.
“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 spoke bitterly about her late husband’s unpaid entitlements.
“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 declared.
The clip has spread rapidly on social media, reigniting long-standing debates about the welfare and safety of Nigerian troops engaged in counter-insurgency operations.
Watch video below