“I did nothing wrong. After an attack that claimed the lives of 117 of my colleagues, our Brigade Commander came to address those of us who survived. We were assembled at our concentration area in Gubiyo. After his address, he invited questions. I raised my hand, as did several other soldiers.
I was then asked to step forward. Instead of being allowed to speak, I was disarmed and taken into detention, where I was handcuffed and chained. I remained in that condition for ten days.
Afterward, my Commanding Officer informed me that I was being charged with disobedience to an order. I reminded him that he was present when the Brigade Commander expressly asked if there were any questions and that I merely responded to that invitation. He told me his hands were tied and that there was nothing he could do.
Since then, I have written several petitions over the years without response. My family has suffered greatly. My children are no longer in school. I have no home of my own and survive by squatting wherever I can in order to earn a living.
I joined the Nigerian Army at the age of 18, dedicating my life to service from my youth. Since 2003, I have participated in numerous operations, including hybrid and internal security operations across the four regions of the country, with extensive service in Maiduguri. I served with the 118th Task Force Battalion.
The officer who dismissed us was General Jamilo Sarham. He dismissed over 300 soldiers drawn from the 118th and 157th Task Force Battalions during operations in Maiduguri and Baga. If required, I can provide the names of the affected personnel.”
— A former Nigerian soldier has made serious allegations regarding his dismissal from the Nigerian Army, claiming he was sanctioned for merely raising his hand to ask a question after surviving a deadly Boko Haram attack in Baga, Borno State.
Ju
