Nigerian army denies mass resignation claims, insists soldiers have right to quit

The Nigerian Army has responded to recent claims of mass resignations among its personnel, stating that soldiers and other staff are free to resign in accordance with the procedures set out in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service.

The Army has denied allegations that the resignations were due to systemic corruption, inadequate welfare or low morale.

In a statement released on Sunday, Director of Army Public Relations Onyema Nwachukwu called the claims misleading and an attempt to create unrest in the force.

“Recent publications in some media outlets, alleging mass resignations of Nigerian Army soldiers due to corruption, low morale and the like, are not only misleading but are a deliberate attempt to sow seeds of discontent and animosity, as well as denigrate the patriotic service of personnel and the reputation of the Nigerian Army,” Nwachukwu said.

Read also: Nigerian government, Chinese firm sign memorandum of understanding to improve lighting and water supply in Abuja

He explained that service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary, just like other global military institutions. “Therefore, it gives everyone the freedom to resign anytime they want. The situation is the same with the Nigerian Army. Personnel are free to resign from time to time in accordance with the procedures contained in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers),” Nwachukwu explained.

The Director stressed that the dismissal from the Army was done routinely and in an organized manner. “Dismissal from the Nigerian Army is routine and in accordance with established procedures. It is only in a disorganized Army that the dismissal of personnel would be done haphazardly; therefore, the compilation and release of names is done routinely, as has been the case in the Nigerian Army for many years,” he said. He added that this process ensures that personnel are able to prepare and receive their entitlements, pensions and gratuities.

Nwachukwu also addressed the confidentiality of the reasons for personnel dismissals, which can range from medical issues to pursuing other careers. “In the examples cited in the hastily and carelessly prepared report, no due diligence was conducted to ascertain the reasons for personnel dismissals, other than false allegations of low morale and corruption. While the reasons for personnel dismissals are confidential, they range from voluntary redundancies, medical reasons, pursuing other professions and ventures of interest, and community service, among others,” he said.

The director dismissed the notion that many soldiers were resigning because of welfare issues, describing it as a gross misrepresentation. “On the contrary, the Nigerian Army recruitment is highly competitive and even oversubscribed,” he said.

Nwachukwu assured that the Nigerian Army remains highly motivated and that personnel welfare is a priority under the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. “Within the one year of the current leadership, significant strides have been made to improve the standard of living and overall well-being of personnel and their families. A prime example is the Affordable Housing Option Scheme for All Servicemen, aka AHOOAS, which has been rolled out across the country,” he said.

The Army also focused on improving infrastructure and regular payment of allowances. “This is in addition to free airlift for troops on leave and leave, and free medical evacuation for wounded troops for treatment at home and abroad. Military hospitals and medical centers received similar renovations and equipment upgrades for efficient service delivery to personnel and their families,” Nwachukwu added.

He concluded by asserting that claims of widespread resignations due to poor welfare were baseless. “The TNI remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of its personnel. However, it is appalling to witness a concerted effort to twist the truth for sensationalism in the media,” the statement concluded.

Nigerian Army denies mass resignation claims, insists soldiers have right to resign first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.