Widows of fallen Nigerian soldiers have expressed frustration over the non-payment of insurance entitlements owed to them, some of which have been pending since 2011.
Speaking at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Gombe on Wednesday, the coordinator of the Military Widows Association in the state, Salome Ishaya, lamented the unbearable living conditions faced by widows due to delayed benefits and the harsh economic climate.
Mrs. Ishaya, who addressed journalists at the event, revealed that many widows have yet to receive the insurance payments promised to their families after the death of their spouses in the line of duty. She described the situation as dire, forcing families to seek help elsewhere.
“The government should ensure that the insurance money of our late husbands is paid. I have received mine, but many of us whose husbands died in 2011 are yet to get theirs. This is making life difficult for them,” she said.
Beyond the financial difficulties, Mrs. Ishaya highlighted the social challenges faced by widows, including pressure from family members to share the money when benefits are eventually paid.
She called on Nigerians to treat families of fallen heroes with kindness and to remember their sacrifices for the nation.
“With the present situation, Nigerians need to remember the sacrifices of our late husbands. Our children are always crying because of poor care,” she added.
The widows also appealed to the federal government to adopt policies aimed at empowering them and improving their welfare.
In response, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State announced a N6 million donation to support the families of fallen heroes in the state.
Represented by his deputy, Manassah Jatau, the governor praised the sacrifices of the departed soldiers and called on Nigerians to provide support to their families.
Meanwhile, Sgt. Adamu Dogo (retd.), chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Gombe State, disclosed that complaints regarding unpaid benefits had been forwarded to the legion’s headquarters for action.
The federal government’s Group Life Assurance scheme for military personnel, designed to ease the burden on the families of fallen heroes, has faced criticism over delays in processing claims.
The scheme requires the government to pay premiums to insurance companies, which in turn are expected to provide payouts to bereaved families in the event of a soldier’s death.
Despite these provisions, the persistent delays have left many widows grappling with financial and emotional hardships, raising questions about the efficiency of the system.
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