Monday, September 9, 2024 The Nigerian Army has said that the recent “allegation of widespread resignation due to poor welfare is unfounded and irrational.”
The Army said it remained “steadfast
in its commitment to the welfare of its personnel” and described as appalling
“concerted attempts to distort the truth for sensationalism.”
The clarification came as the
Nigerian Army granted approval to 196 soldiers to proceed on terminal leave
with effect from November this year.
This followed the request made to
that effect by the affected Soldiers through their resignation letters
addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
The affected soldiers were drawn from
various army formations across the country and were mostly junior officers.
The approval was communicated to the
affected Soldiers and their formations through an official memo dated August
23, signed by Brigadier General OH Musa. It would take effect on November 30,
2024.
The memo reads, “In accordance with
the provisions of References A and B, the COAS vide Reference C approved the
voluntary discharge of the above-named soldier and 195 others listed in Annex
A. The soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave with effect from 1 Nov 24
while their disengagement date takes effect from 30 Nov 24.
“Accordingly, I am directed to
respectfully request you to cause the affected soldiers’ units to ensure that
the discharging soldiers complete the following forms as enclosed and forward
the same to this Department no later than 6 Sep 24”.
Amid the resignation, there was
claims that the affected soldiers were leaving to join foreign military
services because of their poor welfare in the service of the Nigerian Army.
But the Army said there is no iota of
truth to the narrative.
The Director of Public Relations,
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said: “The recent publication
by an online media and similar media platforms, alleging mass resignation of
Nigerian Army soldiers over corruption, low morale and the like is not only
misleading but also a deliberate attempt to sow the seeds of disaffection and
acrimony, as well as denigrate the patriotic service of personnel and
reputation of the Nigerian Army.”
The statement said it is crucial to
clarify that service in the Nigerian Army, like most militaries worldwide, is
voluntary. It added that this gives individuals the freedom and liberty to
disengage at will.
The statement claimed that “the hasty and
haphazardly compiled report” did not follow due diligence in ascertaining
reasons for the discharge of the personnel.
According to the Army, the reasons for
personnel discharge are confidential but can include voluntary disengagement,
medical reasons, pursuit of other career opportunities, community service, and
more.
It said statements suggesting that
soldiers are resigning en masse due to welfare issues do not reflect the actual
situation. It described the recruitment process for the Nigerian Army as highly
competitive and often oversubscribed.
The Army clarified that personnel are
highly motivated, and their welfare is a top priority under the leadership of
the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
0 Comments