Ex-Soldiers protest again, accuse authorities of neglect

A group of discharged Nigerian soldiers has returned to the streets of Abuja, renewing their protests over the non-payment of entitlements promised by the Federal Government.

The ex-servicemen had earlier suspended their protest on August 4, following assurances from officials of the Ministries of Defence and Finance that their long-awaited benefits would be settled by August 10.

However, weeks after the deadline, the soldiers say no payments have been made. Converging once again at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the protesters accused the government of neglecting their welfare and failing to keep its word.

One of the protesters, identified as Mama G, said they were forced to return to the streets after previous assurances yielded no results.

“We are here because the promises made to us were never fulfilled. We had no choice but to return to the streets. This time around, the protest will be massive”, Mama G said.

This is not the first time the group has demonstrated. In recent years, retired soldiers have repeatedly taken to the streets in Abuja and other cities over what they describe as unfair treatment and neglect.

The Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters and Military Pension Board have yet to issue an official response as of the time of filing this report.

Details later…