Army explains regular publication of disengaged soldiers

The Nigerian Army has explained why it regularly publishes the names of soldiers it disengages from the service.

It said soldiers’ disengagement from service is “routine and in line with laid down procedures”.

The Nigerian Army made the clarification in a statement yesterday in Abuja by its spokesman, Maj.-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu.

The explanation came on the heels of a report alleging mass resignation of soldiers due to poor welfare and corruption.

But Nwachukwu described the allegations as false, unfounded, and 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”.

He added: “Consequently, it is crucial to clarify that service in the Nigerian Army, like most militaries the world over, is voluntary and not conscriptive. 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, as contained in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers) alike.

“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.

“In the instance cited in the hasty and haphazardly compiled report, due diligence was not taken to ascertain the reasons for the discharge of the personnel, other than the spurious allegation of low morale and corruption.”