Fallen heroes

 Editorial

January 15 of every year has been designated in the country as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. It is a day set aside to commemorate the end of the civil war that lasted from July 1967 to January 15, 1970. The war reportedly claimed about two million lives. President Muhammadu Buhari shed light on the essence of the day while launching next year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Emblem and Appeal Fund at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on October 16:

“The Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration was intentionally fixed for 15th January, annually, to commemorate the end of our civil war. It reminds us of the need to guard jealously the unity of our country which was won at a great cost. This day calls to mind the negative impact of strife and conflicts and demands that as responsible citizens, we must, at all times, avoid actions that emphasise our differences.”

The president spoke glowingly about the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice so that the country could remain one, though tongues and tribes differ. He said: “Today, we are once again gathered to acknowledge and commend the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and veterans of First and Second World Wars, Nigerian Civil War and Peace Support Operations around the world.”

Nigerian soldiers, just like the country’s police, have performed creditably in many outside engagements. They have also been doing their best in the ongoing war against the Boko Haram insurgents who have caused the death of many innocent Nigerians, rendered many homeless, as well as led to the violent separation of many families in their senseless quest for the impossible.

“We must not forget those currently engaged in internal security operations, particularly the on-going war against insurgency in some parts of the country.” The president did not forget to mention the fact that those who were killed in the course of these engagements, at home or abroad, have loved ones who should be taken care of. It is double jeopardy for people to lose their loved ones in the service of the fatherland only for their dependents to be left to their fate. It is also the country’s responsibility to take care of those who became incapacitated in the process as well. This is the way it should be and indeed, it is the standard practice in the developed countries.

This is why it is surprising that the military authorities have to wait for presidential directives to realise that they have to take care of the relations of their officers and men killed in the course of serving the fatherland. This is a given; and for the president to harp on it at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Emblem and Appeal Fund is an indication that that he must have heard of the harrowing experiences these dependents undergo in the course of getting the benefits of their departed loved ones. Indeed, his order was sequel to the revelation by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, that 847 soldiers have been killed by Boko Haram terrorists from 2013 till date and were buried in the military cemetery in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

We urge the military authorities to take urgent steps to pay the fallen heroes’ dependents their due. This is the best way to secure full commitment of serving soldiers. The message will continue to haunt their counterparts who are still in active service that their children and loved ones would suffer in case the unexpected happens, if the present perception that the benefits will be delayed or may never be paid, lingers. They must do everything to change the narrative not only in the interest of the service but also in the nation’s interest at large.