In a tragic incident in Makurdi, Benue State, a 72-year-old retired soldier named Francis Dooga reportedly took his own life, allegedly due to financial hardships. The retired soldier was found hanging from a tree in his residence opposite St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iniongun, a suburb of Makurdi, around 6:00 pm on Sunday, January 28, 2024.
According to a neighbor who spoke anonymously, Dooga, also known as ‘old soldier,’ committed suicide while his family members were away from home. Some residents in the area claimed that the deceased had previously expressed concerns about financial difficulties.
Reports suggest that Dooga had voiced dissatisfaction with the handling of his pension, alleging that one of his children consistently withdrew it upon arrival. He also lamented about not receiving his pension in bulk from the pension board, contributing to his financial struggles.
Residents shared that the retired soldier particularly mentioned the Security Department Allowance (SDA) released by the Federal Government to the Defence Headquarters. However, he claimed that the pension was disbursed to him in smaller amounts rather than in a lump sum monthly, leading to financial hardship and feeling abandoned by his family.
The tragic incident underscores the challenges some retirees face, particularly concerning the disbursement and management of pension funds, highlighting the need for improved support systems for elderly individuals.
