Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The Borno State chapter of the Nigerian Legion said Wednesday that it has lost 38 of its members to deadly attacks staged by the Boko Haram sect since insurgency in the region began four years ago.

Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in the state, Mustapha Ali, a retired Staff Sargent, disclosed this while on a courtesy visit to the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, in commemoration of the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Ali also used the opportunity to intimate the governor of some of the challenges faced by the retired soldiers, which include accommodation and mobility for the day-to-day running of their office.

He appealed to the governor to use his position as the grand patron of the legion in Borno state to help acquire lands for members to build their own homes while also seeking assistance in buying official vehicles.

Ali also expressed gratitude for the free medical care given to members at the military hospital, something he said they never enjoyed in the past.

Responding, the governor directed the commissioner of lands to allocate some plots of land along the Maiduguri – Kano road layout for members of the legion to build houses.

Shettima also gave a personal donation of two gulf cars as well as a cash gift of N3 million to the members for the celebration of this year’s armed forces remembrance day.