Confusion struck the parade ground of the Armed Forces on Wednesday, the venue of the remembrance day, as widows of deceased soldiers staged a protest against the alleged withholding of emblem funds.

The women, who were all dressed in black attire, had earlier walked out of the parade ground while the ceremony was ongoing due to a lack of recognition by the serving military personnel.

The widows, led by their coordinator, Hannatu Aliyu, converged at the main entrance of the parade ground, where they demanded a fair share of the monies donated to the Nigerian Legion.

Speaking with journalists, Aliyu alleged that the whereabouts of over N30 million donated by the state, local government, and other spirited individuals in the name of the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem should be accounted for by the Nigerian Legion.

The Kano State Coordinator of the Military Widows Association of Nigeria lamented that since their husbands died on the battlefield while in active service to the nation, their living conditions have deteriorated.

Also, Hauwa Adamu, secretary of the widows? association, accused the Nigerian Legion of lopsidedness and preferential treatment between the families of late and retired soldiers.

She alleged that the widows of the late soldiers had been neglected in the provision of several incentives from the government, including the sharing of palliatives and other donations whose whereabouts they did not know.

Another member of the group who refused to give her name said it was high time the widows demanded what belonged to them.

?Remembrance Day is not a ceremonial day to us, and that is why we, the widows of deceased soldiers, dressed in black to reflect our grief. It is not for the retired soldiers alone, and we would continue to say this because of the total neglect of those whose spouses died in service.

?We have resolved to demand what is due to us, and so we will no longer keep quiet because our husbands died in service. State and local governments gave us money a few days ago, but as we speak, nobody cares to tell us what is happening.?

When contacted, the State Chairman of the Legion, Warrant Officer Kabiru Isyaku (retired), debunked all the allegations made by the widows. Although Isyaku acknowledged the donation for the emblem as claimed, he stated that not a dime had been received yet.

The retired Warrant Officer, however, disclosed that tremendous efforts had been made in the last year since he took over the mantle of leadership in the Kano Legion, including the distribution of palliatives to all members and families of the legion.

Calm later returned as the military personnel on guard prevailed on the angry women to channel their grievances appropriately, a situation that eventually prevented the women from obstructing the movement of dignitaries at the end of the parade. (The Guardian)

?Several military veterans under the aegis of the Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces/Widows and the Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans staged the third phase of their protests over the non-payment of their Security Debarment Allowance, among others, at the Ministry of Defence, in Abuja, Nigeria on September 26, 2022. The protesters pitched a tent and blocked access to the Ministry of Defence located at Ship House on Olusegun Obasanjo Way in the country?s capital city. (Photo by Olukayode Jaiyeola/NurPhoto) (Photo by Olukayode Jaiyeola / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

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