EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Soldiers In North West Decry Lack Of Medical Supplies, Abandonment By Military; Forced To Buy Own Medications

Nigerian soldiers of Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West have accused the authorities of abandoning them, forcing them to purchase their own medications when ill due to a complete lack of medical supplies from military leadership.

Some of the soldiers who spoke to saharaReporters also lament the absence of proper medical personnel, stating that only medical representatives are available, and they are always complaining about not being supplied with essential drugs and equipment.

Operation Fansan Yamma, North West comprises Katsina and Zamfara states.

One of them shared his frustration over the worsening situation, saying they have repeatedly had to spend their own money on basic treatment.

"Poor medication. We often buy drugs with our money, which is uncountable times. Because even drip, I bought them with my own money, not once, not twice. I am also a victim of that," he said.

He further described the struggles they face in accessing healthcare.

"To cut the story, anything you know that is supposed to make us live comfortably here is in its worst state; nothing good to write about it.

“The medical representatives are there, but even then, they have not supplied them the medicine, so they prescribe the medicine to us, and then we buy them outside. Then they use it."

One of the soldiers emphasised that the situation has become unbearable.

"I bought drip with my own money, not once, and other medications. I was seriously sick at that time, and I had no other option but to buy the drip because there was no drip with the medical representatives and no medicine."

According to them, the only medical staff available are medical representatives, who themselves complain about the lack of supplies.

"They only have medical representatives, and they are always complaining about not being supplied with drips and other medical needs," he added.

This comes amid ongoing complaints from soldiers in the operation, who previously described their food as "poisonous and disgusting," saying even street children would refuse to eat it happily.

Soldiers have also raised concerns over unsafe drinking water, which they claim is sourced from boreholes dangerously close to toilets.

"That is what we are passing through for over two years and six months. That makes many soldiers consider leaving the job because of this treatment," another soldier had told SaharaReporters.

Beyond the poor medical care, soldiers have also decried the military's failure to rotate them, leaving them on the frontlines for over two years and six months despite their initial six-month deployment. They accused the military of ignoring their plight while prioritising other deployments.

With morale collapsing, the soldiers say they are barely holding on. "Our fighting spirits have died," one soldier admitted. They have urged authorities to intervene, demanding better medical care, improved feeding, and their long-overdue redeployment.