Lagos: The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false and misleading allegations by a dismissed soldier, Lance Cpl. Rotimi Olamilekan, describing them as a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and undermine troops’ morale.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, in a statement on Tuesday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, explained that Olamilekan, commonly known as ‘Soja Boi,’ was dismissed from service due to ‘persistent and grave acts of indiscipline,’ including violations of the Armed Forces Social Media Policy. Anele emphasized that Olamilekan’s dismissal was not connected to expressing personal opinions but was conducted following due process in line with the Armed Forces Act and established military regulations.
Col. Anele refuted claims that soldiers were poorly remunerated, asserting that the Nigerian Army operates a structured and transparent salary system guided by the Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (MAFA). She clarified that entitlements are tied to rank and years of service, with personnel receiving monthly salaries along with allowances such as uniform, ration cash, and operational allowances, especially for those deployed in operations like HADIN KAI in the North East.
The army spokesperson also dismissed assertions that troops purchase their own uniforms and protective gear. She highlighted that the provision of kits, including bulletproof vests and helmets, is an institutional responsibility managed through established logistics systems. She noted that while some personnel might choose to supplement issued kits for personal comfort, this is entirely voluntary and does not indicate any systemic failure.
Anele described claims that soldiers were deployed without protective equipment as ‘reckless and unfounded,’ warning that such narratives could erode public confidence and affect troop morale. She urged the public to disregard these allegations and called on citizens and the media to verify information from credible sources before dissemination.
She reaffirmed the army’s commitment to maintaining high standards of discipline, accountability, and personnel welfare, while continuing to safeguard national security.