The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa on Friday said the military loses troops daily in the ongoing fight against insecurity across the federation, adding that he has nightmares.
According to The PUNCH, Musa spoke during the maiden parley with journalists in Abuja.
He said, “You hear people saying we are benefiting from insecurity. Nobody benefits from dying. I am losing men every day, and I have nightmares when I close my eyes. I know that I have lost my soldiers.
“The worst thing for every commander is when you want to go and explain to the families of a commander that they’ve lost their breadwinner. It is the worst thing that can happen to your commander.
“So when I hear people talk as if their lives don’t matter, it really affects us a lot. And that’s why we’re appealing to Nigerians to please consider that these other police troops who are sacrificing themselves are also dying.
“They have families. They have children who are also looking forward to seeing them, but they can never see them anymore. They have lost them forever.”
Musa cautioned the citizens against demoralising the troops by effectively discharging their constitutional duties with their actions.
He added, “Members of the security forces are dying, and yet sometimes people don’t tend to always remember that people are sacrificing so much for the peace they enjoy.
“And one thing I want people to also know is to avoid demoralising the troops. Because if somebody is there day, night, standing, morning, evening, or night away from his family getting injured, and yet he is insulted and unappreciated, I mean, we are all humans.
“You know what the tendencies are? This person will say, ‘Okay, since I am not being appreciated, then it’s not my business anymore,’ and that will be dangerous.”
