The reports that 25 troops had resigned due to suspicions of corruption have been dismissed by the Nigerian Army.
The accusation was denounced by Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, director of army public relations, who called it an effort to hastily undermine the battle spirit and morale of the NA’s devoted, devoted, and loyal warriors.
Therefore, Brig-Gen Nwachukwu emphasised that voluntary retirement or discharge are commonplace in the Nigerian Army.
“The Nigerian Army is compelled to respond to insinuations in a publication by an online news outlet, Sahara Reporters, attributing the resignation of 25 soldiers to allegations of corruption against the Nigerian Army,” he added.
The suggestion that the soldiers are proceeding on voluntary discharge due to alleged corruption is an implausible effort to frantically lower the morale and fighting spirit of the loyal, dedicated, and patriotic troops of the NA, foster disaffection in the ranks, and ultimately put the fledgling Nigerian Government and nation in a panic mode.
“Clearly, the media and its owners need to be educated to realise that the NA is not a conscript Army and that recruitment into the NA is voluntary. The NA also has current policies on discharge and retirement of troops and officers, respectively, much like other organisations. As long as they adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Soldiers, Ratings, and Airmen (Revised) 2017, this gives its troops the option to file for voluntary discharge or retirement when they see fit. Thus, the ability to request for release voluntarily or for medical reasons is a fundamental right of employees.
Accordingly, despite the media’s deceitful twisting of the incident, it is not abnormal for the COAS to authorise the voluntary dismissal of troops who voluntarily applied and met the requirements for discharge from the NA.
Given the background of the tarnishing story’s publishers, whose concerted effort has always been characterised by “pull him down” syndrome, disunity, a desire for violent disorder, revolution, and atrocious propaganda, Nwachukwu continued, “Any discerning mind realises that the publication was sinisterly and treasonably conjectured to deflate the high morale of the troops.
“It is well known that the NA has consistently worked to give its employees supportive and conducive working conditions. This is demonstrated by the NA’s ongoing initiatives to enhance its operational capabilities, including the deployment of equipment into the theatres of operations, the prompt payment of operational allowances, including the recently increased Ration Cash Allowance by the new Chief of Army Staff, the massive building of new housing, and the extensive renovation of outdated and dilapidated structures.
“These are in addition to the enormous financial commitment to the medical needs of wounded-in-action soldiers, including medical evacuation overseas, the award of scholarships to children and wards of fallen heroes, and other novel interventions in the theatres of operations to sustain the soaring morale of troops.
The meticulous execution of Army Headquarters’ strategy for the rotation of troops away from the front lines is equally crucial. As a result, problems with overstaying and battle fatigue are eventually being resolved and disappearing.
He emphasised that the NA, under the command of Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity, probity, and professionalism by providing exemplary and practical leadership, Sound Administration, that will continue to firmly guarantee the welfare and motivation of NA personnel as well as provide necessary enablers for operational effectiveness, all the while preserving public confidence.
He pleaded with the populace to disregard the deceptive allegations made in the aforementioned magazine because they are blatantly unfounded.
