A Nigerian soldier who accused government authorities of enabling banditry by paying ransoms for kidnapped victims has cried out for financial assistance after he was dismissed by the Nigerian Army.
The soldier, Suleiman Samaila, had in a viral video clip shared on social media in August, claimed that bandits are emboldened to kidnap and set ransom terms, knowing the government will pay.
He had averred that if soldiers were allowed to go after the bandits, they would be decimated in no time.
“People should stop seeing the faults of the Nigerian Army and their personnel. Stop blaming the Nigerian military, we take orders. Soldiers cannot take independent action without orders from above,” he had said.
He went on to express frustration that the military’s potential is wasted due to a lack of direction from its leadership, arguing that the military has the capability to eradicate bandits, particularly in hotspots like the forests of Zamfara State.
“If our leaders give us the directive to face these bandits head-on, we will finish them in a week.
‘What is Zamfara State forest, for God’s sake, that we (Nigerian Army) cannot secure? We (Nigerian Army) have the training, and machinery that bandits don’t have. So just forget Nigeria.
“It is our leaders that know what our country Nigeria is into and they also know what is happening in Nigeria.
“If Nigeria is peaceful, they (leaders) will not get the monetary benefit which they are enjoying as a result of the insecurity ravaging the country....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
“Today, look at Maiduguri, the Borno State headquarters, insecurity has become a history there. Who will bring an end to the insecurity in Maiduguri? The Nigerian Army.
He pointed to successes in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he said the military had significantly reduced insurgency leading to the surrender of top terrorist commanders.
However, in a video shared on Tuesday by one Sani Yawuri, Samaila said he had been dismissed by the Army as a result of the video he shared. He therefore, solicited for financial assistance from Nigerians so that he can engage in a business and take care of his family.
While responding to Yawuri on what he has been going through since his dismissal, Samaila said:
“Since I was dismissed, I don’t have anything to survive.”
He then asked for public donations to help him during this challenging time.
(Ripples Nigeria)
