Reports of mass resignation of soldiers baseless – Nigerian Army

• According to the report, some of the soldiers are quitting to join foreign militaries, while others simply drew the curtain on their career in the Nigerian Army due to poor welfare, lack of modern and sophisticated weaponry, widespread corruption, low morale.

The Nigerian Army has said there is no iota of truth reports claiming soldiers are leaving the service in drove.

Report had emerged last week that the Nigerian Army is grappling with a gale of resignations as soldiers opt out.

According to the report, some of the soldiers are quitting to join foreign militaries, while others simply drew the curtain on their career in the Nigerian Army due to poor welfare, lack of modern and sophisticated weaponry, widespread corruption, low morale.

Reacting to the report in a statement by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, the army described the reports as spurious.

But the statement further described the report as not only misleading, but also a calculated attempt to plant the seeds of disaffection and acrimony, as well as belittle the patriotic service of personnel and reputation of the Nigerian Army.

It explained that disengagement from the military is a routine exercise that is carried out when soldiers want to quit the service, saying it is mischievous to attribute such voluntary termination of one’s military career to some unwholesome and unpleasant situation in the army.

“Consequently, it is crucial to clarify that service in the Nigerian Army, like most militaries the world over, is voluntary and not conscriptive. This, therefore, provides that individuals are free and at liberty to disengage at will.

“The situation is the same as the Nigerian Army. Personnel are at liberty to disengage from time to time in accordance with laid down procedures as contained in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers) alike.

“This process allows for personnel who are about to either mandatorily or voluntarily disengage to adequately prepare and process entitlements, emoluments, pensions, and gratuity for the period of service to the nation,” he said.

It said contrary to the insinuations in the report, Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is top priority under the visionary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.