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Soldiers, officers free to retire — Nigerian Army
The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, gave the clarification in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Nwachukwu faulted the recent publication by some media platforms, alleging mass resignation of soldiers over corruption, low morale and the like.
He said the publication was not only misleading, but also a deliberate attempt to sow the seeds of disaffection and acrimony, as well as denigrate the patriotic service of personnel and reputation of the Nigerian army.
According to him, it is crucial to clarify that service in the Nigerian Army, like most militaries the world over, is voluntary and not conscription.
“This, therefore, provides that individuals are free and at liberty to disengage at will. The situation is the same as the Nigerian Army.
“Personnel are at liberty to disengage from time to time in accordance with laid down procedures
“Discharge from the Nigerian Army is routine and in line with laid down procedures.
“Only in an unorganised army would the discharge of personnel be handled haphazardly; hence, the compilation and release of names routinely, as must have been observed in the case of the Nigerian Army over the years.
“This process allows for personnel who are about to either mandatorily or voluntarily disengage to adequately prepare and process entitlements, emoluments, pensions, and gratuity for the period of service to the nation,” he said.
Nwachukwu described the report as hasty and haphazard, adding that due diligence was not taken to ascertain reasons for the discharge of the personnel, other than the spurious allegation of low morale and corruption.
He said that reasons for the discharge of personnel were confidential, as they range from voluntary disengagements, medical grounds, and pursuit of other professions of interest and endeavours, and community service, amongst others.
According to him, the notion that soldiers are resigning enmasse due to welfare issues is a gross misrepresentation of reality and certainly not the true picture.
“Instead, Nigerian Army recruitments are highly competitive and even oversubscribed.
“Contrary to the insinuations in the report, Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is top priority under the visionary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
“Suffice to state that within one year of the current leadership, significant strides have been made to improve the standards of living and the overall well-being of personnel and their families.
“A prime example is the Affordable Housing Option for All Soldiers Scheme, aka AHOOAS, which has been inaugurated across the nation, allowing personnel to choose where to live and own decent post service accommodation.
“This initiative underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring that personnel enjoy dignified post-service life,” he said.
The Army spokesman said the army was currently undertaking massive rehabilitation of existing and construction of new infrastructure across formations, units, and barracks in the country to ensure conducive working and living atmosphere for troops and their families.
He added that allowances had been regularly paid as and when due for soldiers deployed in operational theaters.
“This is aside the regular free airlifting of troops proceeding on leaves and passes, as well as free medical evacuation of injured troops for both local and foreign treatments.
“Military hospitals and medical centres are equally receiving remodeling and upgrading of equipment for efficient service delivery to personnel and their families.
“These are in addition to combat enablers injected into all theatres of operations across the country to enhance troops’ operational effectiveness and ensure adequate force protection.
“Personnel capacity development is also receiving adequate attention, as both officers and soldiers are engaged regularly in training activities to build their capabilities in consonance with global best practice,” he added.
Nwachukwu said the allegation of widespread resignation due to poor welfare was unfounded and irrational, urging media organisations to avoid being tools of disinformation.
He said the army would continue to prioritise the welfare and morale of its personnel and ensure that they remain motivated and fully equipped to carry out their duties in defense of the nation.
A middle-aged man has been arrested over alleged involvement in gruesome murder of his employer, a Pentecostal Bishop of End-reconciliation Ministry Asaba, Delta State.
The suspect was said to have also attempted to dispose of the deceased Toyota Prado Jeep in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State before his arrest.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday while briefing newsmen, Commissioner of Police, State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu said the suspect was arrested together with his accomplice alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
The vehicle of the murdered Bishop
He said the stolen vehicle was also recovered from the suspects during the operation.
According to Orutugu, “The breakthrough followed a swift intelligence-led operation by Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, who served as the Bishop’s driver and domestic staff, allegedly conspired with yet-to-be-identified criminal elements to murder the cleric before fleeing with the victim’s Prado Jeep to Anambra State for sale.
“Police Operatives, acting on credible information, tracked and intercepted the suspects in Nkpor, successfully recovered the stolen vehicle, and took them into custody for further interrogation.”
According to CP, investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang involved in the incident and fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate murder.
He advised residents to exercise due diligence in the recruitment and management of domestic staff, drivers, and other household employees.
Orutugu also urged members of the public to properly profile and verify the identities of persons employed in their homes and establishments, while also remaining vigilant to suspicious behaviours and activities.
“We assure the public that the Command remains committed to proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations, and collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the State.
While speaking to newsmen, the bishop’s driver said, “immediately we arrived home and my boss asked me to open the gate, I didn’t know that some people were trailing behind us.
“One of them rushed me, ordered me to lie down and marched my head and hit it with the gun. They went inside and met my master.
“They threatened to kill me if I raise alarm or call the police. They asked me to contact someone from Onitsha who will buy the vehicle. The buyers came this morning and took the vehicle.”
A personal driver of a Pentecostal bishop of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State, has been arrested for allegedly killing his employer and fleeing with his vehicle, a Toyota Prado Jeep.
The driver, whose identity has yet to be disclosed due to ongoing investigations, was arrested alongside another suspect in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, while attempting to sell the vehicle.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Awka, on Wednesday, adding that the suspect murdered the cleric before fleeing with his vehicle to Anambra to sell.
Orutugu said the arrest followed a swift intelligence-led operation by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
He said the driver conspired with some criminal elements still at large, to kill his employer, adding that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang involved in the incident and fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate murder.
He said, “The operatives of the Anambra State Police Command arrested a domestic staff member allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of his employer, a Pentecostal Bishop of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State, and the subsequent attempt to dispose of the victim’s Toyota Prado Jeep in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“The breakthrough followed a swift intelligence-led operation by Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, who served as the Bishop’s driver and domestic staff, allegedly conspired with yet-to-be-identified criminal elements to murder the cleric before fleeing with the victim’s Prado Jeep to Anambra State for sale.
“Police operatives, acting on credible information, tracked and intercepted the suspects in Nkpor, successfully recovered the stolen vehicle, and took them into custody for further interrogation.”
The CP stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang involved in the incident and fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate murder.
Orutugu advised the public to exercise due diligence in the recruitment and management of domestic staff, drivers, and other household employees.
He urged members of the public to properly profile and verify the identities of persons employed in their homes and establishments, while also remaining vigilant to suspicious behaviours and activities.
“We assured the public that the Command remains committed to proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the State,” the CP added. (The PUNCH)
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences.
A source within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, disclosed on Wednesday that Abdullahi was arrested in Abuja and is currently in the custody of the commission.
According to the source, the alleged fraud involves funds estimated at N500bn.
“We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for money laundering offences. He was arrested and is currently in our custody. The money Is to the tune of N500bn,” the official said.
Efforts to get confirmation from the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
President Bola Tinubu had on October 24, 2023 appointed Abdullahi as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.
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