FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN? Sahara Reporters Alleges Soldiers Raise Concerns in An Open Complaints Letter To FG Over Worsening Welfare
...Bemoans Alleged Unpaid 8 Years Allowances, Poor Welfare Packages
By: Online Editor
A critical situation akin to having fire on the mountain with nobody seeming to be on the run towers over Nigeria as Sahara Reporters reports that a looming mutiny threat has surfaced from demoralised soldiers of the Nigerian Army who hava allegedly written an open complaints letter to President Bola Tinubu over what they described as “unjust and humiliating” salaries, poor welfare conditions, and the non-payment of critical allowances to them, seeking his immediate intervention to prevent mutiny.
According to the Sahara Reporters report published over the weekend, the soldiers, in an open letter to the President obtained on Saturday, allegedly accused senior military authorities of corruption, extortion and deliberate neglect of rank-and-file personnel, expressing their frustration over the situation which according to them had forced many officers into crushing debt and hardship.
They lamented that recent promotions had come with paltry salary increments ranging from just ₦2,000 to ₦15,000, despite the Federal Government’s earlier approval of a 25 to 35 per cent salary increase for armed forces personnel, effective January 1, 2024.
According to the letter, Army Warrant Officers received an additional ₦3,000, Warrant Officers ₦4,000, Staff Sergeants ₦15,000, Sergeants ₦4,000, Corporals ₦8,000 and Lance Corporals ₦2,000.
“This is an organisation that promotes its personnel only after five years of dedicated service to the nation. After risking our lives day and night, this is what we get — an extra ₦3,000 or ₦5,000,” the soldiers wrote, noting that, “This is unfair, unfortunate and demoralising.”
They also complained that the scarce skills allowance of ₦100,000, approved since 2017, had not been fully implemented, accusing authorities of withholding funds meant for troops’ welfare.
The soldiers further alleged wide disparities between the Army and other branches of the armed forces, noting that personnel in the Navy and Air Force reportedly received significantly higher increments after promotion.
“Our counterparts in the Navy and Air Force enjoy proper implementation of their allowances. Army Warrant Officers in those services earn up to ₦75,000 extra, while Sergeants and Corporals receive between ₦25,000 and ₦45,000. But in the Army, the highest increase is ₦15,000,” the letter stated.
Warning of dire consequences, the soldiers said continued neglect could trigger unrest within the ranks.
“Poor pay, multiple loans and an endless cycle of debt — when will this stop? If these issues are not urgently addressed, we may be forced into lawlessness,” they warned.
They called on President Tinubu to launch a thorough investigation into the conduct of service chiefs and ensure a comprehensive review of salaries and allowances in line with the prevailing economic realities.
As of the time of filing this report, the Defence Headquarters and the Army authorities had yet to respond to the allegations.
Story Credit: Sahara Reporters
What's Your Reaction?
