Military Dismisses Viral Video Alleging Poor Welfare for Wounded Troops
The Nigerian military has dismissed as misleading a viral video circulating on social media that alleges poor welfare and neglect of wounded soldiers injured during counterterrorism and internal security operations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) described the claims in the video as false, exaggerated and deliberately designed to undermine troop morale and discredit ongoing military operations across the country.
According to the military, the welfare of wounded-in-action personnel remains a top priority of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, with established medical, rehabilitation and compensation frameworks in place for affected troops.
“The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a viral video making spurious allegations about the neglect of wounded soldiers. These claims are untrue and do not reflect the realities on ground,” the statement said.
The DHQ explained that injured personnel are promptly evacuated from the frontlines to military medical facilities, where they receive treatment ranging from emergency care to long-term rehabilitation. In severe cases, it added, troops are referred to specialised hospitals within and outside the country, depending on medical requirements.
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The military also noted that wounded soldiers benefit from structured welfare packages, including payment of medical bills, insurance benefits, disability compensation and continued salary support, in line with existing regulations.
“Beyond medical care, affected personnel and their families are adequately supported through established welfare schemes. No soldier who sustains injury in the line of duty is abandoned,” the statement stressed.
The Defence Headquarters accused purveyors of the video of recycling old footage and anecdotal accounts to stir public sentiment and sow distrust between the military and the Nigerian public.
It urged citizens to verify information from credible and official sources before sharing content that could damage national security or demoralise troops risking their lives for the country.
While acknowledging that welfare systems, like any large institution, face operational challenges, the military maintained that continuous reforms are underway to improve medical care, accommodation and post-service support for personnel.
The DHQ reaffirmed its commitment to the well-being of troops deployed across theatres of operation, including the North-East, North-West and other flashpoints, and called on Nigerians to continue supporting the armed forces in their efforts to restore peace and stability nationwide.
By PRNigeria
