The soldiers in an open letter accused the service chiefs of corruption and extortion.
Some aggrieved soldiers have complained about the non-payment of their various allowances by the Nigerian Army authorities.
The soldiers in an open letter accused the service chiefs of corruption and extortion.
They threatened to resort to lawlessness if the issue of their outstanding allowances by the Nigerian Army was not resolved.
They also urged the President Bola Tinubu to take his anti-corruption war to the armed forces.
“The appointment of Gen CG Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff by President Bola Tinubu last year 2023 was received with joy by many members of the Armed Forces although a few personnel who knew him when he was a young officer then in 73 Battalion Elele said he was a very corrupt officer,” the open letter signed by three junior personnel read.
“His action towards soldiers concern when he assumed office newly as CDS was a mere rhetoric. Under Gen Musa and Gen Oluyede, the following issues are raising tension in the Army among junior ranks or non-commissioned officers who have not only been defrauded for years but also grossly abused and maltreated.
“1. The nonpayment of complete Operation allowance to the Nigerian continents who have returned from foreign mission in both Gambia and Guinea Bisssu since June 2024.
“2. The nonpayment of 25%/35% Arrears to non-commissioned officers NCO in the Nigerian Army which was paid to all FG workers, paramilitary and Public Servants in October salary.
“3. The non-implementation of Manual Financial Administration MAFA document which was approved by former president Mohammadu Buhari since 2018 to junior soldiers of the Army. The Scarce Skills allowances was 100,000 all ranks as approved by President Buhari and the federal government is paying the funds in Defence Budget every piscal year since 2018. They're sharing the funds within their selves and families.
“4. The illegal removal of the NCO and junior ranks from the IPPIS Platform since 2019. This is to further oppress and deny junior ranks of all their entitlement, allowances contained in MAFA document.
“5. The existing disparity against junior soldiers by the Generals making soldiers the least paid workers in Nigeria today
“6. The irregular payment of RCA or operation allowances to troops on various operations across the country by Defence Headquarters.”
The soldiers also alleged that those on special operations are not being properly fed.
“The poor medical treatment against soldiers and their families in different military clinics across army formations in the country.
“The continued denial of soldiers with military kits, uniforms and boots even as each year quantum fund is being disbursed by the Federal Government of Nigeria for kitting the junior soldiers.
“The poor feeding posed against soldiers in operation areas despite recent increment by the authority.
“The continued illegal sharing of stolen funds from the junior soldiers salary and allowances to all retired and serving Major Generals and above during COAS quarterly conferences.
“The illegal diversion of funds disbursed by FGN for renovation of dilapidated Barracks in the country by the CDS and his principal Staff at the Defence Headquarters.
“The issues listed above if not addressed soon will have adverse effects on troops morale in discharging their duty professionally.
“On behalf of the concerned and patriotic soldiers, l wish to appeal to the FGN through the Minister of Defence His Excellency Alhaji Matawalle and our NSA, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu to look into the aforementioned massive corruption, fraud, massive embezzlement which has bedeviled the Nigerian Army posing serious threat to the country. NSA is one time EFCC chairman, please take a serious glance at the prevailing issues to avert uncertainty.
“The widespread oppression and disparity is one of the major factors compelling the junior soldiers of the Nigerian Army to go on exodus and massive voluntary retirement every year. Even, Senator Ali Ndume of Borno, mentioned why the junior soldiers are on massive retirement but no one cares. The country is going down.”