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In a recent session, the Senate has voiced strong concerns regarding the delays in processing insurance benefits for both deceased and retired military personnel. Lawmakers are urging the military to expedite these payments, emphasizing that timely financial support is essential for the families and veterans who have sacrificed for their country.
The Senate unequivocally stated that 174 families associated with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are currently facing significant hardships due to payment delays, describing the situation as unacceptable.
This acknowledgment calls for immediate action to rectify the systemic issues affecting the disbursement of benefits and to uphold the dignity of those who have served.
In light of these developments, the Senate intervened to stop NAF officers, led by Wing Commander Mohammed Saleh, from arresting Master Warrant Rukayat Ishola. Ishola had previously petitioned the Senate regarding the overdue insurance benefits for her late husband, Warrant Officer Daramola Taiwo, who died in April 2016, and alleged maltreatment by airforce authorities in the aftermath of his death.
Decisions made by the Senate were influenced by a motion presented by Neda Imasuen, who chairs the Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Public Petitions Committee and represents Edo South for the Labour Party. Imasuen’s motion drew focus to the challenges faced by military families, prompting the Senate to respond with necessary actions.
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Senate’s displeasure at the delayed payment of benefits to dead military personnel followed the consideration of a petition filed against NAF by Master Warrant Officer Rukayat Ishola.
In the petition, Rukayat Ishola alleged that payment of insurance benefits of her late husband was deliberately delayed and that her child was denied payment of school fees, like children of other dead military officers.
She said the maltreatment allegedly meted out on her by some officers, after the demise of her husband in April 2016, made her abandon her duty post as a a way of saving her life.
“ I was forced and traumatized to go on without leave ( AWOL) because my late husband‘s insurance benefits were deliberately not paid.
My child was denied school fees, contrary to NAF’s tradition. I faced unwarranted persecutions and life-threatening posting from some officers.’’
The attempt made by her to tender recorded telephone conversations she had with the alleged officers was rebuffed by the committee as it called on a NAF representative to defend the allegations
Defending the allegations on behalf of NAF, the Director of Legal Services, Wing Commander Mohammed Saleh, said the insurance benefits of late Warrant Officer Daramola Taiwo were not deliberately delayed as about 174 families in the Air Force experienced such delays in payment.
He said: “I want to Inform this committee that the petitioner lied in all the allegations laid, as the delay in payment of insurance benefits does not affect her late husband alone but about 174 different families.
“Her child is not entitled to enjoy school fees payment by NAF since the husband of the petitioner did not die in active service, just as allegation made on alleged maltreatment or persecution is unfounded.”
Asked by the committee chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, to define what he meant by active service, Wing Commander Saleh said those who died in the battlefront or field were categorised as dying in active service, while those who died naturally were not considered as such, prior to amendment of the regulation in 2021.