Preferential treatment in the army

As a matter of fact, the security forces are the most essential component needed to win the fight, because all the politicians and other stakeholders can do is to provide material and moral support while the troops do the job, which often requires them to make the ultimate sacrifice if need be.Nigeria’s war against terrorism […]

As a matter of fact, the security forces are the most essential component needed to win the fight, because all the politicians and other stakeholders can do is to provide material and moral support while the troops do the job, which often requires them to make the ultimate sacrifice if need be.
Nigeria’s war against terrorism has left so many children without parents, wives without husbands, husbands without wives, and parents without children. Though the calamity also befalls the civilians, the security forces suffer a more direct brunt, because their job requires them to move into hostile areas in the event of an attack, not to withdraw and find a suitable hiding place as the civilians are required to do.
Despite the obvious danger and constant threat to life being faced by the security forces, the help and moral support being provided to the wounded troops and their families is selective. While troops serving in the Joint Task Force (JTF) can enjoy the benefit of a proper medical treatment if wounded, the other troops not in the JTF are left to fend for themselves if wounded in the line of duty.
I recently met a soldier, whom I happen to know years back when I was serving in the army. This soldier is a perfect example of what a soldier should be. He is disciplined, loyal and above all very dedicated to his duty. We met at the teaching hospital of one of the northern states of Nigeria (name withheld) where he expects to get a surgery performed on him to extract a bullet that penetrated his body during a gunfire exchange between them and the members of the Boko Haram sect, who launched an attack on their barracks in Borno State recently. The first question that came to my mind was the reason why he had to travel all the way home from Maiduguri to treat himself despite the billions of naira reported to have been sunk by the Federal Government into the war against Boko Haram. The following is his account of what happened.
“The gunmen attacked our barracks at dawn of that fateful day. I was shot when we were trying to repel the unexpected attack. We were evacuated to the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where we were left bleeding and unattended to due to a rift between the staff of hospital and some policemen that led to the suspension of medical services. My wife had to go out in search of a private doctor who came and attended to me. I remained in the hospital for two weeks without any proper treatment.
“It was on my 12th day at the hospital that I protested to one of the doctors, who had by then resumed from their industrial action, the doctor prescribed some drugs for me and discharged me a day after without any explanation. The lack of explanation and idea on what to do, prompted me to return to the hospital a day after my discharge to seek advice from a doctor who was friendly to me during my stay there. The doctor advised me to go and make a private arrangement for my treatment as the authorities did not make any arrangement for the treatment of troops that are not in the JTF. The doctor also helped in securing a referral letter for me to this hospital in my home state.
“On my arrival family and friends rallied round to help me get the treatment I deserve, though surprised at the behaviour of the military and civil authorities towards someone who was wounded while fighting to rid the country of terrorists. This shabby and inhuman treatment I passed through in Maiduguri had triggered me to question the logic in what I do. It has left me demoralised, disappointed and sad. As a matter of fact, I am presently giving a thought to the idea of resigning from the military in order not to die in vain, while trying to defend a country that doesn’t care about the well being of its defenders.”
There are countless stories like that of my friend, stories of soldiers and policemen who have been abandoned to fend for themselves after being wounded in the line of duty. This shabby treatment is also being extended to the widows of those killed in action, despite the continuous media reports of millions being donated to them.
I will like to use this medium to call on both the military and civil authorities concerned, to fear God and remember that no one can squander the help meant for those who have sacrificed so much for the good of humanity and go free. A word they say is enough for the wise.
Amiru Adamu is the publisher of Northern Wind Magazine