Dausiya Murtala, the widow of a late Nigerian soldier, has made a heartfelt appeal for assistance as she struggles to care for her four children following the death of her husband and years of neglect by both his family and military authorities.
Dausiya’s husband, who served in Kursati, Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State, fell ill suddenly and was brought home by his colleagues. Tragically, he passed away just a few hours later.
“Since my husband died, life has been very difficult,” Dausiya told Daily Trust. “I now sell firewood just to feed myself and my four children, because his relatives have completely abandoned us.”
After her husband's death, Dausiya and her children were forced to vacate their residence in the army barracks in Takum. With nowhere else to turn, she moved to Katsina, where she has struggled to survive for the past three years without support.
Although the military paid part of her husband’s entitlements—enough for her to purchase a modest house—she says the money has long run out. She was informed that additional benefits were due, but despite repeated efforts, she has received nothing further.
“I need help to feed my children and to pay their school fees,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion.
Originally from Maigatari town in Jigawa State, Dausiya has no relatives in Katsina and has not informed her aging parents of her current hardship, not wanting to burden them. She also revealed that her late husband’s family has denied her access to a plot of land he reportedly owned in Katsina.
“When I asked about the land, his parents warned me to stay away,” she said.
Now overwhelmed by financial strain and with few options left, Dausiya is considering selling her home and relocating to Jigawa or Kano to start a small business.
“My greatest concern is my children’s education. That’s what my husband valued most,” she added. “He was a caring father.”
She is calling on the Nigerian Army to urgently release the remaining benefits owed to her husband.
“I’m pleading with the military authorities,” she said. “Please, help me so I can raise my children and give them the future their father dreamed of.”
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