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The Senate on Tuesday condemned the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for delaying insurance benefits to families of deceased personnel, including 174 families affected by the delay.
Master Warrant Officer Rukayat Ishola petitioned the Senate, alleging NAF’s deliberate delay in paying her late husband’s insurance benefits and maltreatment. Her husband, Warrant Officer Daramola Taiwo, died in April 2016.
“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,” Ishola said.
NAF’s Director of Legal Services, Wing Commander Mohammed Saleh, defended the Air Force, stating the delay affected 174 families and Ishola’s child wasn’t entitled to school fees since her husband didn’t die in active service.
“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,” Saleh said.
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Senator Neda Imasuen, committee chairman, criticized Saleh’s explanation. “It’s unacceptable for insurance benefits to be delayed for nearly nine years. How can you justify denying school fees to the child of a deceased officer?”
Saleh clarified, “Those who died in the battlefront or field are categorized as dying in active service, while those who died naturally are not considered as such, prior to amendment of the regulation in 2021.”
Imasuen responded, “That’s a very narrow definition. What about those who died due to service-related illnesses?”
The Senate directed the Chief of Air Staff to facilitate payment of Ishola’s husband’s benefits, incorporate her child as a beneficiary of school fees payment, and provide an honorable exit for Ishola with retirement benefits.
“We will not tolerate such mistreatment of our military personnel’s families. The NAF must take immediate action to address these delays,” Imasuen emphasized.
Committee member, Senator Kabiru Gaya, added, “This is a clear case of negligence and injustice. The NAF must be held accountable.”
The Senate’s move aims to address the systemic issues causing delayed benefits and ensure justice for affected families.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that the NAF complies with our directives,” Imasuen concluded.
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