Nigerian Army Berates Sahara Reporters Over Report of Corruption As Reason For Resignation Of Soldiers

Putting the records straight on the negative report, the Director of Army Public Relations of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu on Thursday morning, stated that, “the Nigerian Army is compelled to respond to insinuations in a publication by Sahara Reporters, an online media, attributing the resignation of 25 soldiers to allegations of corruption against the Nigerian Army”.

Continuing, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu pointed out that, “while it is true that approval was given for the voluntary discharge of the soldiers, the insinuation that the soldiers are proceeding on voluntary discharge due to alleged corruption is an implausible effort to frantically dampen the morale and fighting will of the loyal, dedicated and patriotic troops of the Nigerian Army, thereby engendering the affections among the ranks and ultimately put the nascent Nigerian Government and nation in a panic mode”.

Brigadier Onyema added that, evidently, Sahara Reporters and its owners need to be schooled to understand that the Nigerian Army is not a conscript Army and that recruitment into the Nigerian Army is voluntary, with extant policies on discharge and retirement of soldiers and officers respectively, like other organizations.

He revealed that the Nigerian Army always provides its personnel the opportunity to apply for voluntary discharge or retirement, when they deem fit and meet the terms and conditions
stipulated in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service Soldiers / Ratings / Airmen (Revised) 2017.

Brigadier General Onyema however argued that it is the inalienable right of Army personnels to voluntarily or on medical grounds apply for discharge.

He also used the opportunity to enlighten Sahara Reporters, that, It is not an aberration for the Chief Of Army Staff to approve the voluntary discharge of soldiers, who willingly applied and satisfy the terms for discharge from the Nigerian Army, contrary to the mischievous manipulation of the occurrence by the media in question.

“Given the pedigree of the publishers of the tarnishing story, whose concerted effort has always being devoid of national peace and stability, but rather characterized by “pull him down” syndrome, disunity, desire for violent disorder, revolution and atrocious propaganda; it does not require a soothsayer to connect the dots, before any discerning mind realizes that the publication was sinisterly and treasonably conjectured to deflate the high morale of troops, as all through the report there was no factual evidence to support the claims”.

The Director of Army Public Relations explained further, that it is on record that the Nigerian Army has continuously strived to provide a supportive and conducive work environment and conditions for its personnel. This is evident in the Nigerian Army continuous efforts to improve its operational capabilities, including the injection of equipment into the theaters of operations, prompt payment of operational allowances, including the Ration Cash Allowance recently increased by the new Chief of Army Staff, massive construction of new accommodation and extensive renovation of old and dilapidated buildings.

He listed that, in addition to the huge financial commitment to the medical needs of wounded-in-action soldiers, there are medical evacuation overseas, award of scholarship to children and wards of fallen heroes and other unique interventions in the theatres of operations to sustain the heightening morale of troops, also include others such as the deliberate implementation of Army Headquarters plan for troops’ rotation from the frontline.

He also assured the Nigerian public that the issues of overstay and battle fatigue are gradually being surmounted and becoming a thing of the past under the current Chief Of Army Staff, in person of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

He used the opportunity to restate the commitment of the Nigerian Army of it’s resolve to uphold the highest standards of integrity, probity and professionalism by providing exemplary and pragmatic leadership, Sound Administration, that will continue to boldly guarantee the welfare and motivation of Nigerian Army personnel, as well as provide requisite enablers for operational effectiveness, while maintaining public trust.

The Army Spokesperson told the general public to discountenance the manipulative insinuations peddled in the said publication as it is glaringly unsubstantiated.