‘We’ve Not Been Given Food For Four Days’– Nigerian Soldier In Maiduguri Laments

The commander of the 145 Battalion, Damasak Maiduguri in Borno State, Lieutenant Colonel SA Ochalla has been accused by a soldier of starving him and his colleagues for four days without giving a reason.

The military office who spoke with SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity, said soldiers are not pleased that their two months’ cigarette allowance has not yet been paid.

He stated that the Nigerian Army is symbolic of the deep-seated corruption in the polity.

He said, “We the soldiers of 145 Battalion at Damasak, Maiduguri are dying of hunger. Our commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel SA Ochala, refused to feed us for four days now. He has also refused to give us our money for March and April cigarette allowance; the world should come to our aid.”

“We haven’t seen water to drink since morning, plus we have not had food for four days now. We have to fight regardless because our life comes first even before food. We are still combating insurgents even in this condition.”

“This is the Nigerian system for you, everything is so corrupt. But the corruption is more pronounced in the Nigerian Army.  I have been in the Nigerian Army for more than five years now and I think I can tell you this. Imagine, we are on deployment into the bush and we have not been fed yet. Our commanding officer gave no explanation for this. He has not held any meeting with anyone regarding this issue. We are starving, please help us.”

Meanwhile, a peacebuilding organisation, Foundation for Peace Professionals, also known as PeacePro has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of attacking the Imo State Police Headquarters.

Naija News reports that the accusation was made by the Executive Director of PeacePro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat.