Families of Nigerian soldiers who died fighting terrorists in the North-East have cried out, urging the Federal Government to end the killings and give proper support to the military, according to a PUNCH news report.
The fresh calls followed a deadly attack on a military base in Marte, Borno State, on May 12, 2025, where five soldiers lost their lives during an early morning raid by Boko Haram.
A widow from Benue State, whose husband died in one of the recent attacks, told jounalists that she would never allow any of her relatives to join the army.
“Because of what my husband went through, I will not encourage anyone close to me to join the military again. The soldiers were facing terrorists without proper weapons. They lacked decent shelter and food. Their salary is poor. The government is wasting the lives of innocent people fighting the terrorists,” she said.
She also revealed that the military warned her against speaking to the press and had yet to pay any compensation for her husband’s death.
“I have three children. Since my husband died, we’ve been suffering. Nobody has helped us. The military has not paid us anything,” she added.
In Gombe State, Shamsudeen Abdullahi said his younger brother, Kamaludeen, was killed by Boko Haram in Gwoza on May 7.
“Kamaludeen was 30 years old. He got married last year and his wife is pregnant. He used to support our family. Our mother got N20,000 monthly from his salary,” he said.
He added that the soldier had applied to be transferred from Borno before his death but was instead sent to replace another officer who had just been killed.
Military bases in Borno and Yobe states have come under heavy attacks since the beginning of the year. In January, six soldiers were killed in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government, during an attack that left 34 terrorists dead.
On January 25, 20 soldiers, including a Commanding Officer, were killed in Malam Fatori. Another attack in February killed three soldiers in Isige, while four others died in Wajiroko and Wulgo villages in March. On May 4, ISWAP attacked Buni Gari in Yobe, reportedly killing 11 soldiers.
Despite these losses, the Defence Headquarters said troops repelled the Marte attack and killed many terrorists.
In Kebbi State, the Coordinator of the Military Widows’ Association, Asma’u Noma, said most widows had received no support since their husbands’ deaths.
“About 30 per cent of military widows have not received their husbands’ benefits. Many are poor and hungry,” she said.
She warned that if nothing changes, many parents would no longer allow their children to join the army.
“Some women regret marrying soldiers. After their husbands died, the government abandoned them. If this continues, people will stop seeing the military as a future,” she added.
In Kano, another widow, Malama Abdullahi, said she and her four children were now living with relatives after her husband was killed in Maiduguri.
“We are suffering. I can’t afford to feed my children or pay their school fees. If not for my relatives, we would be homeless. The government should take care of families of fallen soldiers,” she said.
Some parents of soldiers currently serving in the North-East say they live in fear daily.
Aisha Suleiman, a mother in Jigawa, said her son is posted in Yobe State.
“I’m scared for his life every day. The killings are too much and worrisome,” she said.
She urged the government to send better weapons and equipment to protect soldiers.
“We want our children to be protected, not sacrificed for nothing,” she said.
Another father, whose son is serving in Borno, said the government is not doing enough.
“The terrorists are using better weapons. Our children are dying every day, and the government is not doing enough to stop it,” he said.
As the war against terrorism continues, families of soldiers — both the dead and the living — are pleading with the authorities to value the lives of their loved ones, provide proper weapons, and support those left behind.
