Ex-Soldier: Dead Colleagues Haunted Me Until I Spoke Out Against Nigerian Army

Abuja, Nigeria – Former Nigerian Army officer Martins Idakpini has made a chilling revelation about why he risked everything to criticize the military over the inhumane treatment of soldiers on the frontline in Maiduguri—a move that led to his arrest.

Speaking on The Lucky Udu Experience Podcast, Idakpini disclosed that his decision to release the now-viral video was driven by what he described as a spiritual mandate.

“This was spiritual. It wasn’t normal. My dead colleagues would come to me crying and sending messages before I recorded the video,” he recounted.

A Cry for Justice, Born from Horror

Idakpini had earlier accused the Nigerian Army of abandoning the bodies of fallen soldiers, leaving them to be eaten by wild dogs—a claim that shocked the nation. His video, calling for better welfare and dignity for troops, stirred public outrage but earned him military detention instead of dialogue.

The Hidden Wounds of War

His testimony lays bare the psychological torment soldiers endure after years of battling insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast. Behind the headlines of victories and losses lies a grim reality—troops are haunted not just by bullets, but by memories of comrades left behind.

A National Shame

Human rights advocates say Idakpini’s story is a damning indictment of a system that glorifies sacrifice but neglects those who bear its burden. His claim of being spiritually compelled by the spirits of dead colleagues underscores a mental health crisis among soldiers, many of whom face trauma without support.

“The Army owes its men more than uniforms and guns. It owes them dignity in life and in death,” one activist remarked.

Idakpini’s voice is a haunting reminder: Nigeria must choose between honoring its heroes or breaking them.