Nigerian soldiers deployed under Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West, covering Katsina and Zamfara states, have condemned the food provided to them, describing it as poisonous and inedible, stating that even a street child would refuse to eat it willingly.
They also lamented the absence of meat in their meals, the non-payment of allowances, and unsafe drinking water.
One of the soldiers, while speaking to SaharaReporters, detailed their ordeal. “The food is so bad that even Almajiri can’t eat it with happiness, I swear,” he said. “That’s not food, that is poisonous and disgusting. It is also without meat and tasteless.”
He decried their treatment despite their sacrifices in fighting bandits. “We are fighting bandits, risking our lives, but unfortunately, we are suffering. Poor feeding, non-payment of our allowances as at when due.”
According to him, the hardship has persisted for over two years and six months, forcing many soldiers to contemplate leaving the job.
“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.”
He also expressed concerns about the water they consume, stating that its source is dangerously close to toilets. “It is not up to 20 metres away from the toilet and bathroom. There is a possibility of toilet water linking to the borehole.”
Expressing his disgust, he added, “I always tell our people that the water may have its way back to the underground water of the borehole… Very disgusting.”
“Thank God they are sharing the food now.”
However, he maintained that the core issues of poor feeding, unpaid allowances, and unsafe drinking water remain, affecting morale among the troops battling banditry in the region.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters previously reported that the same troops from Operation Fansan Yamma, North West, had expressed frustration with the military’s failure to rotate them, citing a lack of funds.
The troops, who were initially assigned a six-month deployment, have now spent two years and six months on the frontlines without being allowed to return home.
Despite being overdue for redeployment, the soldiers say they are repeatedly told there are no funds to facilitate their return. Many of them have not seen their families in years, leading to exhaustion and demoralisation.
“About the ill-treatment, we are facing here in Operation Fansan Yamma North West. And the most important thing is that we are due for rotation from the operation but up till now, they keep telling us no funds to change us back and see our family,” one of the affected soldiers had lamented.
