We Are Living In Very Bad Conditions' - Soldiers Fighting Against Boko Haram Make Demands

 

 Soldiers stationed in the Northeast states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa which has come under incessant attacks by Boko Haram, are asking for policy of rotation to be put in place by the military so that new set of soldiers can come in to relieve the battle-weary ones.
The soldiers who pleaded anonymity criticized the practice of leaving them stationed for too long in the battlefields in the war against the insurgents while also lamenting the terrible condition they are living in.
One of the soldiers said, "We are living in very bad conditions. The food they give us is terrible. The heat here is terrible. And I find it difficult to stay alert and concentrate on the job because every time I talk to my wife, she is always crying, asking me when will I come home to see my children."
Most of the soldiers lamented being the battlefield for over six months with no idea of when they will be re-posted to another battalion.
One of the soldiers in Borno said his wife gave birth a month after he was posted to the troubled area and he's been there for ten months. He has not seen his child nor wife since they can't come to visit him.
Most of the soldiers were of the opinion that soldiers should be deployed for a maximum of four months at a time.
A soldier in Yobe said, "We’re not the only soldiers in this country, why are they not letting us rest after a while so that others can come and try?"
Another officer said he knew that sacrificing his leisure for the peace and unity of the country comes the job but they also need rest after some time as they can't operate without rest and that's why others should be mobilized to come and serve.
“It seems we are not ready to face-out insurgency in this country,” said one soldier who added that he was tired and frustrated.

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