Former Director of Army Public Relations, retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, has said that a visit to the military cemetery at the Maimalari Military Cantonment in Maiduguri offers a sobering insight into the sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers in the line of duty.
Speaking during an interview with Trust TV, the retired Army officer described the cemetery as a powerful symbol of the human cost of Nigeria’s fight against insurgency and other security challenges. According to him, the experience of walking through the cemetery leaves a lasting emotional impact on visitors, underscoring the price many service personnel have paid in defending the country.
Usman said the graves serve as a reminder that countless members of the Nigerian Armed Forces lost their lives while carrying out military operations, stressing that most of those buried at the cemetery died from gunshot wounds sustained in combat rather than from illness or natural causes.
Reflecting on the significance of the site, the retired general said anyone who visits the cemetery would leave with a renewed appreciation of the sacrifices made by soldiers.
“If you go to Maimalari Military Cantonment and see the military cemetery, you will never come back as the person that you were before you went in there. You look at the graveyard and what is the cause of deaths? Gunshot wounds—almost 99.9 percent,” he said.
According to Usman, the overwhelming majority of the soldiers buried there were not elderly individuals who had reached the end of their lives. Instead, he said they were young, healthy and well-trained military personnel who died while carrying out their constitutional responsibility to defend Nigeria and protect its citizens.
He explained that the cemetery stands as a testament to the courage and commitment displayed by members of the armed forces in the face of dangerous security operations across the country.
The retired Army spokesman noted that each grave represents more than a fallen soldier, saying every burial reflects the personal story of someone who dedicated his or her life to national service.
According to him, behind every soldier laid to rest is a grieving family that lost a husband, wife, father, mother, son or daughter in the course of serving the nation.
Usman emphasized that while governments may provide financial assistance, compensation and welfare packages to the families of fallen military personnel, such support can never truly replace the life of a loved one or erase the emotional pain of their loss.
He said the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces extend beyond the battlefield, affecting families who continue to bear the burden of losing relatives who died while protecting the country.
The retired general urged Nigerians to recognize and appreciate the dedication of soldiers who continue to serve in difficult and dangerous environments across the country.
He noted that members of the armed forces regularly confront terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups, often placing their own lives at risk to safeguard communities and maintain national security.
According to Usman, the Maimalari Military Cantonment cemetery serves as a lasting reminder that the relative peace enjoyed by many Nigerians has come at a significant human cost.
He said the cemetery should inspire greater respect for the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, whose sacrifices often go unnoticed despite the critical role they play in defending the nation’s territorial integrity and protecting civilians.
Usman also called for increased public support for military personnel, arguing that a better understanding of the realities faced by soldiers would foster greater appreciation for their service and commitment.
He maintained that visiting the cemetery provides a perspective that statistics and reports alone cannot convey, as each grave tells the story of a life cut short in the service of the country.
The retired general said the memorial stands not only as a burial ground for fallen troops but also as a tribute to their courage, patriotism and unwavering dedication to duty.
His remarks highlight the sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers in the ongoing fight against insurgency and other security threats, emphasizing the importance of remembering those who lost their lives while serving the nation.
According to Usman, honoring the memories of fallen soldiers should involve not only recognizing their bravery but also supporting the servicemen and women who continue to defend the country under challenging conditions.
He concluded that the Maimalari Military Cantonment cemetery remains a solemn symbol of the cost of national security and a place that should remind Nigerians of the sacrifices made daily by members of the armed forces in pursuit of peace and stability.
