The Nigerian Army has refuted allegations in a viral video claiming that troops deployed in the North-east region have not received their allowances and that a soldier who raised concerns is being victimized. In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, the military described the claims as false and misleading, insisting that all legitimate allowances due to personnel have been paid up to May.
Details of the Allegations and Army's Response
The statement clarified that troops have continued to receive payments, including the Ration Cash Allowance, Operational Allowance, and Habit Allowance, with some funds deposited directly into their accounts. Uba explained that the payment referenced in the video was not an operational allowance but an additional incentive linked to security duties at a critical national asset in Tuba, Borno State. This incentive was previously funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation during oil exploration activities but stopped after exploration ended.
The Borno State Government has agreed to take over responsibility for the incentive and is working to integrate affected troops into an existing payment structure that already covers police officers and volunteer security personnel. Uba noted that funds for the additional incentive were still pending when concerns were raised, but the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Solomon Diwa, assured troops that discussions with relevant authorities are ongoing to facilitate payment once funds become available.
Military Denies Victimization of Soldier
The Army also denied claims that the soldier who allegedly raised the issue has been threatened or punished, maintaining that the welfare and fair treatment of personnel remain a priority. Operation Hadin Kai accused the creator of the viral video of spreading misleading information aimed at damaging the reputation of the Armed Forces.
The military warned that sharing unverified operational information on social media violates military policy and could negatively affect troop morale and national security operations. It added that measures are being implemented to address breaches of the Armed Forces' social media regulations while continuing efforts to ensure prompt payment of approved entitlements through collaboration with relevant authorities.
