Colonel Nasiru Salami (retd.), a 76-year-old veteran of the Nigerian Civil War, paints a poignant picture of the neglect and disregard faced by retired military personnel in Nigeria. His story, shared on a national television program commemorating Armed Forces Remembrance Day, underscores the deep-seated issues within the Nigerian military establishment regarding the welfare of its veterans. Salami’s personal experience serves as a stark reminder of the unfulfilled promises and inadequate support provided to those who have dedicated their lives to serving their nation. His disillusionment is palpable, and his reluctance to encourage his own children to follow in his footsteps speaks volumes about the broken trust between veterans and the military institution.
Salami’s primary grievance revolves around the unpaid war bonus promised to him and other veterans who fought in the Nigerian Civil War. Despite assurances from the government, this bonus remains elusive decades after the war’s end. This broken promise has left Salami and thousands of other veterans in financial precarity, struggling to make ends meet and feeling betrayed by the very institution they risked their lives for. The fact that over 24,000 members of the Nigerian Legion in Lagos alone are in a similar predicament highlights the systemic nature of this issue. It is a collective grievance that speaks to a pattern of neglect and a lack of accountability within the military and government.
Beyond the financial aspect, Salami’s disappointment extends to the overall treatment of army veterans. He draws a comparison between the army and the other branches of the military, noting that the Navy and Air Force appear to offer better treatment to their retirees. This perceived disparity further fuels his resentment and contributes to his decision to discourage his children from pursuing a career in the army. Salami’s narrative reveals a sense of hierarchy within the military, where certain branches are seemingly prioritized over others, leading to unequal treatment and a sense of injustice among those who feel overlooked.
Salami’s wartime experiences add another layer of complexity to his story. His account of being deployed to the battlefield after only six weeks of training underscores the urgency and chaos of the war. The severe injury he sustained to his right foot, requiring the insertion of plastic materials, serves as a permanent reminder of the physical and emotional scars of war. The fact that he returned to the front lines despite this injury speaks to his dedication and resilience, yet it also highlights the precarious conditions faced by soldiers during the conflict.
The combination of unfulfilled promises, perceived neglect, and the lingering physical and emotional trauma of war has profoundly shaped Salami’s perspective on the Nigerian military. His disillusionment is not merely a personal grievance but represents a larger systemic issue within the armed forces. His story serves as a cautionary tale for potential recruits and a call for immediate action from the government to address the legitimate concerns of veterans. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms within the military to ensure the well-being and dignity of those who have served their country.
Salami’s experience echoes the sentiments of many veterans who feel abandoned and forgotten by the system they dedicated their lives to serving. His story underscores the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by veterans, not just with symbolic gestures on Remembrance Day, but with concrete actions that demonstrate genuine care and support. His call for improved welfare is not simply a request for financial assistance, but a demand for recognition, respect, and a commitment to ensuring that those who have served their nation are treated with the dignity and appreciation they deserve. The failure to address these concerns not only undermines the morale of current servicemen and women but also erodes public trust in the military institution as a whole.
