“Tears, Trauma, and Appeals: Families of Slain Soldiers Demand Government Action Against Insurgency”

Amid ongoing insurgent attacks in Nigeria’s North-East, grieving families of fallen soldiers are calling on the Federal Government to intensify its fight against terrorism and address the dire welfare conditions of military personnel and their relatives.

This outcry follows a series of fatal assaults on military formations, including the most recent attack on the Forward Operating Base in Marte, Borno State, where five soldiers lost their lives. The attack, launched in the early hours of May 12, was carried out by Boko Haram insurgents who overran the base, stole weapons, and escaped with military vehicles.

Although the Defence Headquarters stated that troops successfully repelled the assault and neutralised several terrorists, multiple sources confirmed that some soldiers fled the scene in fear, reflecting concerns over inadequate weaponry and poor morale.

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Mounting Death Toll, Mounting Grief

Since the beginning of 2025, several attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers. From Sabon Gari to Gwoza, Malam Fatori, and Buni Gari, the losses have been staggering, and with each death, the pain reverberates through families and communities.

A widow in Benue State, whose husband, a sergeant, died in one of the battles, told Saturday PUNCH that the military had not provided any compensation or support.

“I won’t let anyone in my family join the military. My husband fought with little to no proper weapons, poor food, and no shelter. The government is wasting young lives,” she said, revealing that her husband had warned others against enlisting.

She is now left alone to care for three children, with no clear path forward.

Similarly, the brother of late Kamaludeen Abdullahi, a 30-year-old soldier from Gombe State who died on May 7 in Gwoza, described the impact of his death as devastating. “He was supporting our family. Now, his wife is pregnant and the entire family is struggling,” he lamented.

Kamaludeen had requested a transfer from Borno months before his death. “He didn’t want to be in that region anymore. He asked for a repost, but it was denied,” his brother disclosed.

Widows Voice Frustration Over Neglect

In Kebbi State, the Coordinator of the Military Widows’ Association, Asma’u Noma, said around 30% of widows had yet to receive death benefits or life insurance entitlements.

“Many of them are living in poverty and hunger,” she revealed, stressing that the lack of care is pushing families to regret their connections to military service.

Another widow in Kano State, Malama Abdullahi, echoed this sentiment, lamenting the absence of support from military authorities after her husband’s death in Maiduguri. “Without my relatives, I’d be on the streets with my children. We can’t feed, we can’t send the kids to school,” she said.

Fear Among Families of Serving Soldiers

The toll of the conflict isn’t limited to those who’ve lost loved ones—it extends to the families of those still on the frontlines. In Jigawa State, Aisha Suleiman, whose son is posted in Yobe, said she fears for his safety every day.

“The government must equip the army. Our children shouldn’t die for nothing,” she said.

Another parent from Borno criticized the lack of sufficient military hardware. “These terrorists are better armed than our troops. The government must take action,” he warned.

Military Veterans Call for Modernisation and Reform

Veterans and retired officers are also adding their voices, urging a complete overhaul of the nation’s military strategy. Retired Brigadier General Yusuf Ladan described the situation as a failure to adapt to modern warfare.

“Technology is now a key player. The military needs to invest in surveillance, intelligence, and advanced weaponry. Without these, the enemy will always have the upper hand,” he said.

He also suggested that foreign support for terror groups might be enabling their access to superior arms.

A retired colonel, who requested anonymity, emphasized the urgent need to boost troop morale. “Corruption, poor welfare, and weak support systems are destroying the Nigerian military. We must fix this now or risk losing our defence structure entirely,” he warned.

A Call for Urgent Action

As families mourn and soldiers face daily threats, one message rings loud: the government must act swiftly and decisively. The calls for improved welfare, compensation, and effective weaponry are not just demands—they are cries for dignity, justice, and survival.

The lives lost in defence of Nigeria cannot be in vain. For their sacrifice to be meaningful, the government must rise to the occasion, confront the insurgency head-on, and protect both the soldiers fighting for peace and the families they leave behind.