The Nigerian Army has addressed recent claims of mass resignations among its personnel, stating that soldiers and other staff are free to resign according to the established procedures in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service.
The Army refuted allegations that these resignations are due to systemic corruption, inadequate welfare, or low morale.
In a statement released on Sunday, Director of Army Public Relations Onyema Nwachukwu labeled the claims as misleading and an attempt to create unrest within the service.
“The recent publication in some media platforms, alleging mass resignation of Nigerian Army soldiers over corruption, low morale and the like is not only misleading but also a deliberate attempt to sew the seeds of disaffection and acrimony, as well as denigrate the patriotic service of personnel and reputation of the Nigerian Army,” Nwachukwu said.
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He clarified that service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary, similar to other global military institutions. “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 procedures as contained in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers),” Nwachukwu explained.
The Director emphasized that discharges from the Army are conducted routinely and in an organized manner. “Discharge from the Nigerian Army is routine and in line with laid down procedures. Only in an unorganised army would the discharge of personnel be handled haphazardly; hence, the compilation and release of names routinely, as must have been observed in the case of the Nigerian Army over the years,” he said. He added that this process ensures personnel can prepare for and receive their entitlements, pensions, and gratuities.
Nwachukwu also addressed the confidentiality of reasons for personnel discharge, which can range from medical issues to the pursuit of other careers. “In the instance cited in the hasty and haphazardly compiled report, due diligence was not taken to ascertain reasons for the discharge of the personnel, other than the spurious allegation of low morale and corruption. Whereas reasons for the discharge of personnel are confidential, they range from voluntary disengagement, medical grounds, the pursuit of other professions of interest and endeavours, and community service, amongst others,” he said.
The Director rejected the notion that soldiers are resigning en masse due to welfare issues, describing it as a gross misrepresentation. “Instead, Nigerian Army recruitments are highly competitive and even oversubscribed,” he noted.
Nwachukwu assured that the Nigerian Army remains highly motivated and that personnel welfare is a priority under Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. “Within one year of the current leadership, significant strides have been made to improve the standards of living and the overall well-being of personnel and their families. A prime example is the Affordable Housing Option for All Soldiers Scheme, aka AHOOAS, which has been launched across the nation,” he said.
The Army is also focusing on infrastructure improvements and regularly paying allowances. “This is aside from the regular free airlifting of troops proceeding on leaves and passes, as well as free medical evacuation of injured troops for both local and foreign treatments. Military hospitals and medical centres are receiving the same remodelling and upgrading of equipment for efficient service delivery to personnel and their families,” Nwachukwu added.
He concluded by asserting that the claims of widespread resignation due to poor welfare are unfounded. “The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of its personnel. It is, however, appalling to witness concerted attempts to distort the truth for sensationalism in the media,” the statement concluded.
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