Army denies 25 officers resigned over corruption
The Nigerian Army on Thursday debunked the allegations in a media report that claimed corruption is the reason for the voluntary retirement of personnel.
A statement signed by Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the report is false and that voluntary retirement or discharge by officers is routine.
“The Nigerian Army is compelled to respond to insinuations in a publication by Sahara Reporters, an online media, attributing the resignation of 25 soldiers to allegations of corruption against the Nigerian Army,” the statement said.
It stated that while it is true that approval was given for the voluntary discharge of the soldiers, the insinuation that the soldiers are proceeding on voluntary discharge due to alleged corruption is an implausible effort to dampen the morale and fighting will of the loyal, dedicated and patriotic troops of the Army.
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It further said that the insinuation is to engender disaffection in the ranks and ultimately put the Nigerian Government and nation in a panic mode.
“Evidently, the medium and its owners need to be schooled to understand that the NA is not a conscript Army and that recruitment into the NA is voluntary, with extant policies on discharge and retirement of soldiers and officers respectively, like other organizations,” he added.
The statement said this provides its personnel the opportunity to apply for voluntary discharge or retirement, when they deem fit and meet the terms and conditions stipulated in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service Soldiers/Ratings/Airmen (Revised) 2017.
According to the statement, it is thus, the inalienable right of personnel to voluntarily or on medical grounds apply for discharge.
“Therefore, It is not an aberration for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to approve the voluntary discharge of soldiers, who willingly applied and satisfy the terms for discharge from the NA, contrary to the mischievous manipulation of the occurrence by the media in question,” it said.
“Given the pedigree of the publishers of the tarnishing story, whose concerted effort has always being devoid of national peace and stability, but rather characterized by “pull him down” syndrome, disunity, desire for violent disorder, revolution and atrocious propaganda, it does not require a soothsayer to connect the dots, before any discerning mind realizes that the publication was sinisterly and treasonably conjectured to deflate the high morale of troops, as all through the report there was no factual evidence to support the claims.”
It added that it is on record that the Nigerian Army has continuously strived to provide a supportive and conducive work environment and conditions for its personnel.
It pointed out that this is evident in the NA’s continuous efforts to improve its operational capabilities, including the injection of equipment into the theaters of operations and prompt payment of operational allowances.
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The statement said these include the Ration Cash Allowance recently increased by the new Chief of Army Staff, massive construction of new accommodation and extensive renovation of old and dilapidated buildings.
The Army spokesperson also enjoined the general public to discountenance the content of the report as unsubstantiated claims.
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