As Nigeria celebrates Armed Forces Remembrance Day, a retired military officer, Colonel Nasiru Salami, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the treatment of Nigerian Army retirees, describing it as unfair and disheartening.
The 76-year-old civil war veteran shared his story as a guest on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ programme.
Recounting his journey, Salami revealed that he enlisted in the Nigerian Army in October 1967 and, after just six weeks of training, was thrust into the Biafra war.
He spent 11 gruelling months on the battlefield during the civil war from 1967 to 1970.
The former soldier, now serving as Secretary of the Nigerian Legion’s Lagos Chapter, recounted a life-altering injury he sustained during the war, nearly losing his right foot.
He underwent surgery to have plastic materials embedded in his foot and, despite the severity of his condition, returned to the battlefield to continue fighting.
In a candid remark, Salami stated that he would never encourage his children to follow in his footsteps by joining the Nigerian Army. “At this point, I cannot advise any of my children to join the Nigerian Army,” he said.
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“They see me now, and my life doesn’t meet their expectations. They would want me to be happier, more fulfilled, and better off. How can I then recommend the same path for them?”
He added, “I have two children who are university graduates, and I told them, ‘Don’t even think about joining the Army. If you must serve, consider the Navy or Air Force—they seem to have better conditions.’”
Salami also lamented the plight of the Nigerian Legion’s over 24,000 members in Lagos and highlighted the neglect faced by civil war veterans.
He disclosed that he and other survivors of the war have yet to receive promised bonuses, despite decades of waiting.
“We’ve been waiting for over 50 years for the war bonuses they assured us of. I retired in December 1983, and the promises of support, pensions, and benefits have largely been unfulfilled,” he said.
Appealing to the government, Salami urged them to honor their commitments to war veterans, improve their welfare, and recognize their sacrifices for the nation. “It’s time the government does the right thing for those of us who gave everything to serve this country,” he concluded.
