Nigerian soldiers deployed under Operation Fansa Yamma in the North West have decried what they describe as outright neglect by military authorities, leaving them to fend for themselves even in matters of life and death. The soldiers, stationed in Katsina and Zamfara states, revealed that they are forced to purchase their own medications due to a complete lack of medical supplies, raising serious concerns about their well-being and operational effectiveness.
Some soldiers, who spoke exclusively to SaharaReporters, lamented the near-total absence of qualified medical personnel in their camps. Instead, they rely on medical representatives who, despite their willingness to help, are powerless due to the chronic shortage of essential drugs and equipment.
One of the soldiers, overwhelmed by frustration, described the grim reality they face:
“Poor medication. We often buy drugs with our money, countless times. Even basic things like intravenous drips, I have personally bought them multiple times. Not once, not twice—I am a victim of this neglect.”
He further detailed the hardships they endure, stressing that their suffering extends beyond just medical neglect.
“To put it simply, anything that is supposed to make our lives here bearable is in the worst state possible. There’s nothing good to write about it.”
Another soldier, echoing similar frustrations, narrated a harrowing experience of battling a severe illness without access to basic medical care.
“I bought drip with my own money—multiple times—because I had no other choice. I was seriously ill, yet there was nothing available. The medical representatives could only prescribe drugs, but we had to buy them ourselves from outside sources.”
The soldiers’ grievances extend beyond medical neglect. Many have previously raised concerns about the appalling quality of their food, describing it as “poisonous and disgusting.”
“Even street children would refuse to eat this food happily,” one soldier lamented.
To make matters worse, they claim that their drinking water is sourced from boreholes located dangerously close to toilets, posing severe health risks.
Beyond the lack of medical care and poor feeding conditions, another major grievance is the failure of the military to rotate them as expected. Soldiers initially deployed for six months have now spent over two years and six months on the frontlines without relief.
“We’ve been here for over two years and six months. Many of us are mentally and physically exhausted. This is why so many soldiers are considering leaving the job altogether,” another soldier revealed.
He accused military authorities of prioritising other deployments while ignoring their plight.
With morale at an all-time low, the soldiers have issued a desperate call for intervention.
“Our fighting spirits have died,” one soldier admitted.
They are demanding immediate action from the military high command, including:
Proper medical care and adequate supplies
Nutritious and safe food for troops
Access to clean drinking water
Timely rotation and redeployment
As the war against banditry and terrorism rages on in Nigeria’s North West, these revelations raise urgent questions about the welfare of those on the frontlines. If soldiers are left abandoned and broken, how can they effectively protect the nation?
PIONEER NEWS 