Remember Families Of Fallen Soldiers

The Nigerian Army got some respite  after it recently  killed 37 suspected Boko Haram fighters in a ground and air assault on an insurgent camp in Borno State, the epicentre of the Islamist group’s four-year uprising. Military spokesman Aliyu Danja said it attacked the camp and recovered arms and ammunition and destroyed vehicles and motorcycles belonging to the terrorists.

With the attack the military scored some point and may have provided succour, even though momentarily, for the war ravaged Borno State. Our military’s exploits in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, where a state of emergency was declared in May, should be more far-reaching to stem the incessant incursions of members of the fundamentalist sect that have been dislodged from their strongholds in the  region.

The military should be encouraged to take the battle to the fleeing insurgents, no matter where they are  hiding, to stop the terrorists from striking soft civilian targets and killing their victims with ease.

President Goodluck Jonathan should recognise the military men and women who put their lives on the line for the country. Politicians should also visit camps where these men have lost some of their best friends and colleagues in combat to provide succour for them.

Since Nigeria launched a major offensive in the northeast in mid-May aimed at crushing Boko Haram’s four-year insurgency, many military men have lost their lives serving their country. Their families have been left to mourn their loss alone when they should be proud that their bread winners died as heroes.

According to reports, violence by Boko Haram is estimated to have cost more than 3,600 lives, including killings by the security forces. Last week,  Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Army Staff, said the army had commenced massive recruitment to sustain the war against the stubborn insurgents.

With the military quietly counting its losses and looking to bring in more men for the safety of everyone, they deserve more than they are getting in order to encourage them to win the war against the terrorists. Families of the fallen soldiers should not be neglected.