Tweeps Lambast Tinubu Government, Ask If Nigeria Is Planning To Attack Niger Junta With ‘Hungry’, ‘Neglected’ Soldiers

Nigerians on Twitter have lambasted President Bola Tinubu after soldiers deployed by the 152 Battalion of the Nigerian Army for Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast region lamented the alleged misuse of power against their rights by their Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. M.Z. Dikko.

SaharaReporters on Wednesday reported that the soldiers in their cry for urgent intervention by the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, Theatre Commander and the General Commanding Officer of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, lamented acute hunger, saying they were not being properly fed.

They also lamented the non-payment of their allowances.

The soldiers lamented that they are not given enough food and that they eat meat once a month, buy medicine from public medical vendors due to poor medication, and bribe to get welfare passes to get out of the bush to see their families.

Also, soldiers in the Nigerian Military School (NMS) headed by Brigadier General AD Aliyu, lamented the non-payment of their Instructor Allowance for the first quarter of the year.

According to them, their counterparts in other army schools like Nigerian Depot Army, Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigerian Army School of Language, Nigerian Army College of Education, Nigerian Army School of Medical Sciences, Nigerian Army School of Nursing and Nigerian Army School of Armour have been receiving their allowances.

Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by President Tinubu has said no option is off the table including military action against the junta in the Niger Republic after the coup leaders ousted the country’s elected President Mohamed Bazoum and took over power on July 26.

The Tinubu-led West African regional bloc gave the Niger military leaders a one-week ultimatum to return power to Bazoum who has been held hostage since he was ousted in July or face military invasion.

The ultimatum expired on Sunday and the coup leaders have refused to budge.

On the other hand, while the Nigerian soldiers lament acute hunger and nonpayment of their allowances, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in a video that went viral on Wednesday, told members of the upper legislative chamber that an undisclosed amount of money had been sent to each of them to use to enjoy their holiday.

Reacting to SaharaReporters’ story on the soldiers who lamented acute hunger, neglect and nonpayment of their allowances, tweeps berated the Tinubu-led government and asked if the hungry, neglected soldiers are among the troops ECOWAS would deploy to fight against Niger coup leaders.

A Twitter user, @MyrorMiller wrote in pidgin English, “The 1,300 so, dem still dey owe them? How dem been wan go fight for Niger with empty belle?”

@Abubakatunde said, “Nigeria is not a place for someone to be a soldier. Soldiers life isn't valuable in Nigeria.”

Another user, @ZAKARIA20222864 said, “But others are going home with holiday allowances,” to which @jay__adebayo wrote, “That’s why i resigned from the job last year, the rate of cheating and intimidation is alarming, my 8 years in the service was like wasted and taking risk for the country that doesn’t even know your value because recruitment taking place every 6 month, using Nigerian youths as sacrifice all the name of joining Army. God forbid.”

@endyy090 who also wrote in pidgin English asked, “Na the hungry people they wan use fight Niger. If these soldiers are united, coup for don happen in Nigeria since. How can you be paying your military peanuts?”

For @iammrpunky, “This is one of the reasons why these men accept peanuts from a civilian to go harm another civilian. FG needs to do better.”

@skyedron wrote, “This is the same army they want to send to Niger republic.”

Also reacting, @legend_082 said, “The politicians and top military officials are living a life of luxury, while the junior soldiers live like peasants and rely on extorting money from civilians. Let’s not forget that the wives of the oppressors also live a life of opulence while the wives of junior officers live a life abject poverty.”

Another tweep, @ofemifemii asked, “The same army Tinubu dey threatening Niger with? Just dey play,” while @bossbabyof9ja said, “Meanwhile, Akpabio has "sent prayers to their mailboxes" for senators to enjoy their holidays. Nothing moves me anymore sha. Let us face the consequences of the election.”

Also, @UgwuAnayoJude1 asked, “Na like this una Dey prepare to invade Niger?”

@Lotxx100 wrote, “Hope Nigeria army is not planning what am thinking?” while @faisalaula362 said, “Wagner group will soon start recruiting them.”