A journalist with the handle @Brendauji has recounted a beautiful story of Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram in the Northeast.
To mark today Armed forces remembrance Day, the journalist tells a sad story in the the most captivating manner, of how our gallant soldiers defy all odds to keep everyone of safe.
Read below
My first time in travelling in the Northeast combat area, gunfire started. Scared to pieces, I screamed. One of the soldiers in the truck looked at me and asked, Aunty, don’t you like this ringtone? Should we change it for you?
Tuesday is Armed Forces Remembrance Day; this thread is dedicated to Nigerian troops, who are fighting/have fought/will fight insecurity not only in the Northeast, but all over the country. It chronicles memorable experiences, stories of bravery, fear, passion, love, anger, sorrow, in the combat zone.
Follow Who Know Road:
Destination- Gamboru Ngala.
It was a very slow journey. A portion of the route was bad, and in those places, IEDs could be buried by BH. So we wait for the EOD to manually clear before others drive thru. Each car drives following the tyre marks of the one- – in front of it, to avoid “BOOM”. A journey that would otherwise take three hours, stretched to about eight. But we arrived in one piece. Thankfully, two years later, I travelled that same route and the IEDs were no longer a threat.
One of the best parts of this journey was – meeting the late Lt Col Abu-Ali, and witnessing his now popular decoration at night. May his soul and all the others who have gone, RIP. That night, what we witnessed was pure passion, love and brotherhood among the soldiers.
Then tells the stories of some soldiers and how they and their spouse deal with being away from home for a long time.
– meeting the late Lt Col Abu-Ali, and witnessing his now popular decoration at night. May his soul and all the others who have gone, RIP. That night, what we witnessed was pure passion, love and brotherhood among the soldiers. ICYMI pic.twitter.com/zmcM6qtkpE
— Mngusuul Uji (@brendauji) January 13, 2019
DADDY’S VOICE:
This one is about an Air force fighter pilot then based in Yola, who had been there for long, and couldn’t travel home often enough to see his wife and baby.
“I’m always worried my baby will be growing without recognising me. So anytime I call my wife, I try to speak to the baby. She can’t speak/ understand me now, but I’m hoping that at least she’ll get familiar with my voice, so that when I go home, I won’t be so much of a stranger to her”.
speak to the baby. She can’t speak/ understand me now, but I’m hoping that at least she’ll get familiar with my voice, so that when I go home, I won’t be so much of a stranger to her”.
LOST BESTMAN-
“My wedding was due in a few weeks. We had one operation before I would take a pass and go home. My close friend was to be my best man. He was excited because his pregnant wife would also come for the wedding and he could see her. He died in the operation”.
LET ME HEAR YOU BREATH:
My wife warned me not to send anyone to call her on my behalf if I’m out of network area. The shock from “are you X’s wife” may traumatise her before she hears the rest of the msg. Often, after we speak on phone, she’ll refuse to cut the call, she tells, let me just hear you breathing, even if you’re sleeping.
She also tells of how fragile vehicles have led to the deaths of many soldiers and why funding for the military has to be reviewed.
SOFT SKINS, SOFT TARGETS:
We've lost several soldiers 'cos there aren't enough rugged vehicles. The Hilux/buffalo trucks often used are easily destroyed by bullets and landmines. The N/East Ops require a lot of MRAPS, this is why we need to review the funding/procurement policy pic.twitter.com/MngyZqwFJg— Mngusuul Uji (@brendauji) January 14, 2019
Then of families left behind
PSYCHO-
The long weeks fighting the jungle, depression, fearing death, feeling like quiting, missing family, feeling unappreciated, feeling your labour is in vain…War messes up with your head. And it could be dangerous. Soldiers need serious psychological support for PTSD. pic.twitter.com/vErxyvg2Zc— Mngusuul Uji (@brendauji) January 14, 2019
THANKFUL:
(One last one for the night.) In all things, give thanks. Even in the battlefield. Nothing else to add. Enjoy this video, Christmas day in Gwoza (2017). pic.twitter.com/xQG01kFKrC— Mngusuul Uji (@brendauji) January 14, 2019
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