The Nigerian Army Sunday debunked recent reports by Sahara Reporters and other media platforms, alleging mass resignation of Nigerian Army soldiers over corruption, low morale and the like .
The Army said the allegations “is not only misleading, but also a deliberate attempt to sew the seeds of disaffection and acrimony, as well as denigrate the patriotic service of personnel and reputation of the Nigerian Army.”
Army spokesperson Major General Onyema Nwachuckwu in a statement clarified that that service in the Nigerian Army, like most militaries the world over, is voluntary and not conscriptive.
He said individuals are free and at liberty to disengage at will.
“The situation is the same as the Nigerian Army. Personnel are at liberty to disengage from time to time in accordance with laid down procedures as contained in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers) alike.
“Discharge from the Nigerian Army is routine and in line with laid down procedures.
“Only in an unorganised army would the discharge of personnel be handled haphazardly; hence, the compilation and release of names routinely, as must have been observed in the case of the Nigerian Army over the years.
“This process allows for personnel who are about to either mandatorily or voluntarily disengage to adequately prepare and process entitlements, emoluments, pensions, and gratuity for the period of service to the nation,” he said.
He said in the instance cited in the report, “due diligence was not taken to ascertain reasons for the discharge of the personnel, other than the spurious allegation of low morale and corruption.”
He said contrary to the insinuations in the report, Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is top priority under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
“Therefore, the allegation of widespread resignation due to poor welfare is not only unfounded but also irrational.
“The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of its personnel. It is, however, appalling to witness concerted attempts to distort the truth for sensationalism in the media,” he said.
He called on media to always verify information before publication and avoid being tools of disinformation.
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