Help: Army widows decry hardship, sexual harassment

Soldiers

Some widows of Nigerian soldiers have accused the military authorities of not paying attention to their welfare.

While saying some of them suffered sexual harassment while processing their husbands’ benefits, they demanded the urgent intervention of the Federal Government.

The Coordinator of the Military Widows’ Association in Kebbi State, Asma’u Noma, lamented that a substantial number of military widows were without support.

According to her, about 30 per cent of the women whose husbands paid the supreme price while serving the country had yet to access their life insurance and death benefits.

“A lot of them are wallowing in poverty and hunger,” she said.

Asma’u, who confirmed allegations of sexual harassment against some widows when they travel to military headquarters to process their entitlements, said some officers demanded bribes before facilitating the payments.

She noted that many widows had been left destitute, unable to access their husbands’ gratuities, pensions, or welfare support, while also caring for children alone.

She said some of the widows regretted marrying soldiers due to poor welfare and the premature deaths of their spouses.

“Some of them regret marrying soldiers because of the ill-treatment they have received after their husbands’ untimely deaths. If the government continues to turn a blind eye to the plight of military widows, no parent will allow their son to join the army,” she said.

A widow, Rashida Hamajoda, whose husband was allegedly killed by Birom militants, said an officer approached her at the military headquarters in Abuja, where she had gone to process her husband’s benefits some years ago.

According to Hamajoda, the officer demanded bribes or sexual favours before he would assist her with the documentation and payment processes.