Connect with us

News

Reps probe resignation of 365 soldiers

Published

on

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged mass exodus of soldiers from the Nigerian Army, warning that it will worsen the security crises across the country.

At the plenary on Tuesday, the House unanimously adopted a motion moved by the Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, and co-sponsored by Deputy Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu; and Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu.

It was entitled, ‘Need to Investigate the Purported Voluntary Resignation of Over 365 Soldiers from the Nigerian Army’.

The figure is actually 356, according to a memo from the aggrieved soldiers to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, dated July 3, 2020, with Reference Number NA/COAS/001, quoting the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Soldiers/Ratings/Airmen (Revised) 2017.

Sunday PUNCH had on reported that the approval of the voluntary disengagement of the 356 soldiers was contained in a 17-page circular from Buratai, AHQ DOAA/G1/300/92, signed by Brig-Gen T.E. Gagariga, for the army chief. By Clever Advertising

Also, the document was copied to Headquarters, Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Borno State, the Headquarters of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 81, and 82 Divisions of the Nigerian Army and other formations.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Army to “investigate these allegations and report back in one week”.

Moving the motion, Monguno noted that the Nigeria Army, which was founded in 1960, is the largest component of the Nigerian Armed Forces with a staff strength of about 200,000 soldiers, with the responsibilities of taking charge of land warfare operations as well as protest and defend the territorial integrity of the nation.

The Chief Whip recalled that on June 22, 2020, a Lance Corporal in the Nigerian Army, Martin Idakpein, published a video on the Internet in which he condemned the lackadaisical attitude of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, towards the attacks and killings of civilians and soldiers as well as the untold hardship soldiers face while conducting combat operations.More in Home

Monguno said, “The House is aware that on several occasions Nigerian soldiers have disobeyed orders from superior officers in protest against poor welfare arrangements and alleged embezzlement of allowances due them by their superiors. There have been cases of mutiny resulting in sporadic shooting and attempt lynching of senior officers.

“Recently, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Nigeria‘s counter-terrorism headquarters, was removed for complaining about inferior military wares and poor equipment of troops, while briefing the Chief of Army Staff from combat zone after successfully repelling an attack from Boko Haram insurgents.

“The House is concerned that not too long ago, the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, of the Nigeria Army in Maimalari, Major General Victor Ezegwu, escaped being lynched by rampaging soldiers for leaving them with neither food nor water while fighting in the northeastern part of the country for two days.

“The House is further concerned that on the 3rd of July 2020, via a (a memo with) Reference Number NA/COAS/001, 356 soldiers, which is a battalion, serving in the North-East and other theatres of operations, wrote to the Chief of Army Staff, asking for voluntary retirement from the force and citing loss of interest as reasons for their retirement.”

The Chief Whip stated that the House was disturbed that military sources had attributed the massive resignations to loss of morale, unimproved allowances, mass casualties in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists due to lack of intelligence apparatus and fighting equipment as well as poor welfare packages for them and their families by the army authorities.

Keep Fit International Club President, Chris Adiorah And Members Unviels Their Lounge At National Stadium
News1 day ago

Keep Fit International Club President, Chris Adiorah And Members Unviels Their Lounge At National Stadium

Tony Ejiogu to REBUILD Imo State- See Full Video
Press Release4 days ago

Tony Ejiogu to REBUILD Imo State- See Full Video

Wema Bank HACKAHOLICS DIGITAL SUMMIT 2023
News4 days ago

HACKAHOLICS DIGITAL SUMMIT 2023: WEMA BANK LAUNCHES AFRICA’S LARGEST GATHERING OF INNOVATORS, DISRUPTORS, REGULATORS, POLICYMAKERS, INVESTORS & CUSTOMERS IN THE DIGITAL SPACE

Africa’s Finest: 6th Edition of The GTCO Fashion Weekend Holds in November Lagos.
Business5 days ago

Africa’s Finest: 6th Edition of The GTCO Fashion Weekend Holds in November Lagos.

Africa’s Finest: 6th Edition of The GTCO Fashion Weekend Holds in November Lagos.
Business5 days ago

Africa’s Finest: 6th Edition of The GTCO Fashion Weekend Holds in November Lagos.

Nigeria Labour Congress and Federal Government meeting ends in deadlock.
News6 days ago

Nigeria Labour Congress and Federal Government meeting ends in deadlock.

APGA Remains the Only Credible Alternative for Imo People - Ejiogu
Press Release6 days ago

APGA Remains the Only Credible Alternative for Imo People – Ejiogu

Ecobank Introduces "EPAC Studios" To Promote Africa's Creative Industry
Business6 days ago

Ecobank Introduces “EPAC Studios” To Promote Africa’s Creative Industry

United Bank for Africa, Banking Beyond Borders
Business7 days ago

United Bank for Africa, Banking Beyond Borders

Polaris Bank Partners EAS, Funds Training of over 1000 Nigerian SMEs on Export to US, Europe
Business1 week ago

Polaris Bank Partners EAS, Funds Training of over 1000 Nigerian SMEs on Export to US, Europe

Polaris Bank Partners EAS, Funds Training of over 1000 Nigerian SMEs on Export to US, Europe
Business1 week ago

Polaris Bank rewards 50 Lucky Winners in its ongoing ‘Save & Win’ promo

Favour Benson, SOLIN MEDIA Team Celebrates Bldr. (Dr.) Abdulhakeem Odegade As He Marks His Birthday…
Press Release2 weeks ago

Favour Benson, SOLIN MEDIA Team Celebrates Bldr. (Dr.) Abdulhakeem Odegade As He Marks His Birthday…

CBN FX policy costs Unity Bank N39.35bn profit loss in HI 2023.
Business2 weeks ago

CBN FX policy costs Unity Bank N39.35bn profit loss in HI 2023.

ZENITH BANK DEFIES ODDS WITH AN ASTOUNDING TRIPLE-DIGIT SURGE IN TOPLINE AND BOTTOMLINE H1 2023 RESULT
Business2 weeks ago

ZENITH BANK DEFIES ODDS WITH AN ASTOUNDING TRIPLE-DIGIT SURGE IN TOPLINE AND BOTTOMLINE H1 2023 RESULT

INEC's Troubling State: Chidoka's Blunt Critique
Breaking News2 weeks ago

INEC’s Troubling State: Chidoka’s Blunt Critique

Copyright © FastNews Nigeria