According to sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, the mass resignation is attributed to poor welfare, inadequate equipment, and lack of motivation within the Nigerian Army.
Many soldiers have resigned from the Nigerian Army to join the military forces of other countries, including the British Army, Ukrainian Army, and other Commonwealth nations, SaharaReporters has gathered.
According to sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, the mass resignation is attributed to poor welfare, inadequate equipment, and lack of motivation within the Nigerian Army.
The soldiers are mostly in the medical corps.
Sources told SaharaReporters that many more would soon leave as their resignations were awaiting approval.
The sources expressed frustration with the Nigerian government's failure to provide them with decent living conditions, modern weapons, and adequate compensation to combat a series of non-state actors ravaging the country.
“A set of 27 personnel are leaving and this set is only medical corps. Infantry corps and armoured corps are still coming. So many more will leave.
“Soldiers are leaving because the work is no longer sustainable. People are running every day to join British Army, Ukraine, Russia, Commonwealth army and the likes. That's what is happening now,” a source in the Nigerian military informed SaharaReporters.
“Even the planned protest, many soldiers are praying it should happen,” another source added.
A document obtained by SaharaReporters confirmed massive resignation by army personnel.
The document released by the Department of Personnel Management Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, dated August 24, 2024, approved the voluntary discharge of about 27 soldiers from the service.
The statement reads: “In accordance with the provisions of References A and B, the COAS vide NASHO Reference C approved the voluntary discharge of the above named soldier and 26 others listed at Annex A.
“The soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave NAMCHO AMCHU with effect from 1 Nov 24 while their disengagement date takes effect from 30.
“I am directed to respectfully request you to cause the affected soldiers' units to ensure that the discharging soldiers complete the following NAMCTH.
“Additionally, the affected units are to ensure that forms of military controlled items, arms, ammunition and items of combat kits are recovered from the discharging soldiers prior to their disengagement date.
“The disengaging soldiers forward 2 copies of current passport and 5 x 7 NAMC PAMEHO NAM photographs each on No 6 Dress (Woodland Camouflage) standing at ease NAMC
“The discharging soldiers are to report to this Department on completion of their terminal leave for collection of Discharge Certificate and Record of service before proceeding to MBP for final documentation."
Efforts to reach the army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu for comments failed as he did not answer his calls or reply to a text message sent to his mobile line.
SaharaReporters had reported several instances of non-payment of bonuses and delay of salaries of the soldiers by Nigerian Government.
For instance, on Monday, this newspaper reported that the Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu had yet to pay personnel of the Nigerian Army their August salaries and allowances.
This was disclosed in an internal memo issued by army authorities, In the memo obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday, the authorities urged the soldiers to exercise patience.
According to the authorities, efforts are ongoing to ensure prompt payments of their entitlement.
The memo reads: “TEXT: LATE PMT OF SAL AND NON REG ALLCE AUG 24. DIR YOU INFO TPS THAT SAL AND NON REG ALLCE FOR AUG 24 IS YET TO BE PAID BY FGN. EFFORTS ARE ONGOING TO ENSURE PMT IS EFFECTED ASAP. TPS ARE REQ TO REMAIN PATIENT. PSE TREAT AS URGENT AND ACT.”
Delay in payment of salaries and bonuses of the Nigerian Army is not a strange thing in Nigeria.
In October 2022, some soldiers lamented the delayed payment of their salaries and the non-increment of such for over 10 years that they had been in service.