By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – Photos of a Nigerian soldier, reportedly known as Umar’s severe wound from a likely blast have drawn thousands of views on how people who sacrifice their lives for others are treated in the West African country.
Posted by @DanielofTruth, the photos of Umar’s wound also drew hundreds of replies voicing heartbreak over government neglect and poor care at places like 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.
“I’m amazed that mostly people don’t know what’s going on in this country. Last year I visited a military friend at 44 Military Hospital, he was shot during an ambush, he was lucky to have survived with bullet wounds.
“There is a ward for wounded soldiers, immediately I got there, I didn’t know where the tears came from, young vibrant men, in good numbers, amputated legs, hands, some both hands and legs, just forgotten there,” @DanielofTruth posted.
In a reply, @DanielofTruth wrote: “His name is Umar, His case is really less compared to others. If you go to 44 military hospital in Kaduna, you will cry and cry.”
Adding, “Last year, a friend and his battalion were ambushed along the Abj-Kd Expressway. I paid him a visit at 44 Military Hospital, and I was in tears, young vibrant soldiers, rendered almost useless filled the ward, no hands, no legs.”
Many highlight low pay, lack of support for the injured, and frustrations amid ongoing fights against Boko Haram and ISWAP, while a few defend the honour of serving.
The army insists it provides medical care, insurance, housing, and pensions, but complaints of overcrowding and delays continue from the 2009 insurgency onward.
Another X user, @Seniormandre, wrote: “Them no even fit give soldiers proper medical treatment chai.”
Them no even fit give soldiers proper medical treatment chai 🥲 https://t.co/19weZFXOSC
— Senior Man Dre (@Seniormandre) March 10, 2026
@karosamDraxler wrote: “After all these stress, you go back home with Zero power supply, you beg and even cry just to get your allowance. Mehn country is gone.”
@theamrif: “The painful part is that these soldiers take up these jobs because of poverty and not patriotism. If these lads were patriotic, a proper mutiny would have happened a long time ago.”
@carlos_drogo: “After using you as the trash that you are, they dump you to live the rest of your days in pain, regrets and agony. This is the same nation you pledged to serve come rain come sun. Your country betrayed you.”
@Lacey_xenon: “It’s not worth the sacrifice.”
@ffjongu: “Some years back when I do go visit my sch father anytime he returns from borno I noticed scarcity of men in the barrack and out of 10 men I saw 4 were always with crutches.”
