Some personnel of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force are livid over the delay by the federal government in paying their July salaries.
The delay is coming amid soaring inflation and rising cost of living in the country.
The Abuja-based soldiers voiced their displeasure in an interview with PUNCH newspaper.
The soldiers, who spoke with the media outlet in confidence, expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction at the manner the president Muhammadu led federal government and Service Chiefs have treated them.
The soldiers said the refusal to pay them their July 2022 salaries is even more saddening and worrisome in light of the extraordinary work they have had to do in the aftermath of the Kuje prison break and most recent attacks by non-state actors across the country, especially in the capital city, Abuja.
One of the soldiers said, “This is becoming a norm. It was the same way the federal government delayed the payment of our April salary this year, and now they’re repeating the same. We don’t understand why President Buhari and the military chiefs have refused to pay our salaries as and when due.”
Another soldier said, “We’re tired, but it is quite unfortunate that we can’t complain. We’re being oppressed and cheated, yet there’s no avenue for us to share our grievances. This is getting too much, and I am fed up. I might just resign from the Army if this is how the government would continue to treat us despite sacrificing our time and energy and putting our lives on the stake for this country.
A third soldier, a female personnel with the Nigerian Navy, said, “I wonder how the government wants us to be energetic and go about our duty with rigour despite delaying our salaries. It is really sad that only Nigerian soldiers suffer such humiliation from their government anywhere across the world. What does it take to pay people that are putting their lives at risk to protect a country with over 200 million people?”.
However, the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, he noted that some officers have been paid today, Wednesday, August 3, 2022, adding that personnel that are yet to be paid should exercise patient as payment of salaries is ongoing.
Onyema said, “There was a little delay in the payment. However, salaries are now being paid. Many personnel, including myself, have received their salaries today.
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