A Nigerian soldier, who was fatally injured in a ‘deadly’ attack by herdsmen in Benue State has appealed to the Nigerian Army to come to his aid financially.
The soldier, Captain Zakari Sani’s health condition is fast deteriorating few months after he had multiple surgeries in Egypt. He said he had already incurred debts to tune of over N8million for self-treatment and other necessary medications.
“Aside the mountain of debts staring at my face, life has equally been brutal to me since I returned from Egypt about nine months ago. It has been difficult for me to shoulder the entire responsibilities of my family, being the only bread-winner.
“I was about to wed my heartthrob before the Benue attack in 2018. The wedding was abruptly suspended because of my health condition as I currently stay with my parents and siblings in Zaria.”
The 32-year-old Zaria-born soldier, was an officer in the Special Forces Unit of the Nigerian Army before his group was attacked by Fulani herdsmen during a military operation in Benue State in August 2018.
After miraculously surviving the deadly attack, he was admitted at Airforce Hospital and Cedar Crest Abuja before he was flown to Egypt for proper medical attention.
Since his return from Egypt, his condition has deteriorated as he was unable to go back for check-ups.
His current salary is insufficient to pay his medical bills and other daily needs.
The gallant officer had previously sustained grievous injury from Boko Haram bomb blast in Maiduguri in 2012 and was flown to India for medical attention when his left ear was damaged.
He had served in various military operations fighting bandits, kidnappers, militants and terrorists. He participated actively in military operations in the Northeast, Abuja-Kaduna Highway, notorious Birnin Gwari axis and in the Niger Delta region before his last mission against bandits in Benue.
Speaking on his current predicament, Sani appreciated the initial intervention of the military for sponsoring multiple life-threatening surgeries but pleaded with the service to come to his aid now.
“Apart from paying for private physiotherapists who work on me daily, every morning and evening, a nurse comes to wash and dress the outlets of the gunshot wounds. The gunshot severely shattered my backbone. It is just by the grace of God that I can still walk. I don’t know if I can still get married in [my] current condition.
“I am supposed to receive an entitlement of $30,000 for treatment. Both the Army and the Defence Headquarters have given approval for the release of the funds but, sadly, I am yet to get the money, despite making several attempts. I want to use this medium and occasion to, once again, plead with the Nigerian Army and military authorities to come to my aid. Let them facilitate the payment of the $30,000. My health condition is gradually deteriorating.”
