72-Year-Old Retired Soldier Ends Life Due To Economic Hardship In Benue

In Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, a 72-year-old retired soldier named Francis Dooga has reportedly taken his own life. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, January 28, 2024, around 6:00 pm, when Dooga allegedly hanged himself on a tree in his residence, located opposite St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iniongun, a Makurdi suburb……..CONTINUE READING

According to a neighbor who preferred to remain anonymous, Dooga, affectionately known as the ‘old soldier,’ chose to take this drastic step while his family members were absent from home. Some residents in the area have claimed that the deceased had previously voiced concerns about facing hardships.

Reports suggest that Dooga had expressed dissatisfaction with the withdrawal of his pension by one of his children upon its arrival. Additionally, he lamented not receiving his pension in bulk from the pension board.

Before the tragic event, it was revealed that the retired soldier consistently complained about his Security Department Allowance (SDA), which the Federal Government released to the Defence Headquarters and subsequently transferred to the military pension board. According to a resident, he asserted that the pension was being disbursed to them in meager amounts, as opposed to the bulk monthly payments received by their junior counterparts. This situation, he claimed, resulted in extreme poverty and abandonment by his family members.

The community is now grappling with shock and sorrow over the loss of Dooga, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by retirees and ensuring comprehensive support for their well-being.

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