EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Soldiers Fighting Boko Haram In North-East Accuse Commander Of Withholding Operation Allowance

 

Some Nigerian soldiers deployed to fight BokoHaram insurgents in the North-East under Operation Hadin Kai have accused their commander of withholding their operation allowances

The soldiers said their morale has dropped sharply as they continue to confront terrorists without receiving the allowance meant to sustain them during operations.

According to them, they are “currently in the bush fighting terrorists,” adding that the operation allowance is “supposed to ensure they live comfortably while fighting.”

They noted that “even though the money is small, it is still going a long way,” but alleged that their commander is now withholding it.

Operation Hadin Kai covers parts of the North-East, including Sector 1 Maiduguri, Borno State; Sector 2 Damaturu, Yobe State; Sector 3 Maiduguri, Borno State; and Sector 4 Yola, Adamawa State. The soldiers said other states in the North-East geopolitical zone are not part of Operation Hadin Kai.

They explained that the operation allowance is paid monthly, stating that “the payment is made every first of the month,” but alleged that “FCMB refused to pay thousands of troops using their bank their operation allowance.”

The soldiers further stated that the allowance applies to several security agencies involved in Operation Hadin Kai, including soldiers, mobile police officers, and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

They said the allowance is calculated at “N1,500 per day,” amounting to “N46,500 in a month,” but complained that payments have become irregular.

Ever since he took over from our COAS Chief of Army Staff Major General Wahidi Shuaib, our operation allowance has been skipping till now,” one of the soldiers said.

The troops identified the officer in charge as the Theatre Commander, saying, “We called him TC Theater Commander Major General Abubakar.”

The soldiers appealed for urgent intervention, warning that continued non-payment of their allowances could further weaken morale among troops risking their lives daily in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

They also called for a review of the allowances to reflect the current economic realities of the country.

All efforts to obtain the reaction of the Nigerian Army proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Directorate of Army Public Relations, were neither answered nor responded to as of the time of filing this report.