Nigerian Army dismisses as untrue report of corruption, extortion, shortchange of soldiers

The Nigerian Army(NA) has denied online media reports alleging that some “pseudo” aggrieved operatives wrote an open letter to the President, accusing the top brass of the Nigerian Army (NA) of corruption and extortion.

The Nigerian Army said the insinuation that soldiers have threatened to embark on strike, an action which was tantamount to mutiny in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, was misguided and untrue.

In a statement, Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said contrary to the report, the Nigerian Army, as part of her effort to guard against fraudulent practices and entrench accountability and transparency in the system, subscribed to the Integrated Personnel Pay Roll System (IPPS) as directed by the Federal Government, since 2018 and this had facilitated flawless payment of salaries and allowances of personnel.

He said the IPPIS did not permit any personnel access to payment processes, adding that the processes provided zero opportunity for anyone or group of persons to manipulate operatives entitlements.

Nwachukwu noted that the Nigerian Army and sister services, jointly operated a Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS), which was applicable to the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general.

He said what was applicable to operatives of other services (Nigerian Navy and Air Force), invariably applied to operatives of the NA.

“Suffice to state that personnel salaries and allowances are promptly and appropriately paid, without any form of shortchange.

“Therefore, the vague allegation of corruption and extortion clearly depicts a shallow understanding of the processes of payments of personnel salaries and allowances.

“As it stands presently, all monthly entitlements of personnel have been disbursed. The allegations contained in the anonymous letter are therefore a ridiculous attempt at disparaging the Nigerian Army and causing disaffection among personnel.

“Though it is weird, that personnel of the Nigerian Army, whose morale is considerably high under the command of the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, will make such allegations and threat, given the prioritised and prompt attention accorded soldiers’ welfare, including timely payment of their salaries and allowances by the current administration; the NA, as a professional institution, would however investigate the claims made in the report to establish its veracity and take appropriate action, where necessary,” he said.

The Army spokesperson said the Nigerian Army would not be deterred by any unpatriotic attempt, aimed at dwindling the morale of her operatives.

He assured operatives of the Nigerian Army that the Chief of Army Staff’s innovative welfare programmes currently being implemented for Regimental Sergeant Majors down and their families, would be unmatched for posterity.