Lance Corporal Itodo David, a Nigerian soldier who suffered a spinal cord injury while on active duty, has accused the Nigerian Army of abandoning him without proper medical care.
David has been confined to a bed at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna since 2020. He claims the military promised to arrange for his specialized treatment abroad but has yet to fulfill that commitment.
Speaking with SaharaReporters, David voiced his frustration, stating that despite assurances from the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, no action has been taken regarding his condition.
“I have lost hope,” he said. “I have been here since 2020. They assured me I would be sent abroad for surgery, but nothing has happened.”
Due to the lack of proper medical intervention, his health has continued to decline.
“Some people visited me last month, but I don’t know why. I haven’t received any official update on my case. Honestly, I feel abandoned,” he added.
Attempts to get a response from Nigerian Army spokesperson Major General Onyema Nwachukwu were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.
On January 15, 2025, SaharaReporters had previously reported David’s claims that the Army had neglected him and failed to cover his medical expenses despite his service.
David sustained his spinal injury on September 4, 2020, during military operations in Abia State. For over four years, he has remained hospitalized without receiving the necessary surgery.
Reflecting on his ordeal, he questioned why the government honors fallen soldiers but fails to support those still alive and suffering from severe injuries.
“They only remember us after we are gone,” he remarked.
Before his injury, David served for six years in the North-East, actively participating in counter-terrorism missions. Despite his dedication, he says the military has not provided the support he needs for recovery.
He shared that his condition has also affected his ability to speak clearly and that he urgently requires buttock surgery, yet the Army has taken no action.
This inaction continues despite the Chief of Army Staff’s directive during a visit to Jaji last year, where he instructed that all injured soldiers receive proper medical care.
David stated that since sustaining his injury in 2020, he has undergone no surgical procedures and continues to endure daily pain, unable to carry out basic tasks.
“Why are soldiers who risked their lives for this country being abandoned? I have been left here since 2020, yet they honor the dead. Must we die before they acknowledge us?” he questioned.
“I need to see a specialist and undergo buttock surgery while awaiting spinal cord treatment. As of now, nothing has been done.”
Appealing to the Nigerian government, he pleaded, “I am begging the authorities to recognize my suffering. I served this country with everything I had, yet instead of receiving help, I am left to struggle.”
David also called on Nigerians for support, saying, “Please help me. I don’t want to die like this. I have suffered enough, and my family has done all they can. The government should remember me while I am still alive.”
