ALPHA NEWS NG gathered that soldiers are expected to proceed on terminal leave with effect from January 15, 2023. The Nigerian Army has again approved the disengagement of a Warrant Officer and 17 others in various formations across the country. ALPHA NEWS NG gathered that soldiers are expected to proceed on terminal leave with effect from January 15, 2023.
They are expected to be finally disengaged from the service from February 15, 2023.
The soldiers, drawn from various formations of the army across the country, are all junior cadres who are mostly fighting against terrorists and insurgents.
The list of the soldiers leaving did not distinguish between those embarking on voluntary retirement and those leaving the army on medical grounds.
However, none of them had neither attained retirement age or the mandatory years of service.
“Enclosed, find photocopy of Reference A in a respect of above mentioned subject for your perusal and necessary action. They are to be property de-kitted. Additionally, all forms of military controlled items, arms, ammunition and are to be recovered from them prior to their disengagement dates.
“The approved list of NAS personnel for voluntary discharge is as contained at Annex A,” a memo dated September 07, 2022, and signed by Lieutenant Colonel K.I. Ugwuanyi obtained by SaharaReporters read.
This comes a few days after 243 soldiers in the North-East and other theatres of operation wrote to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen General Faruk Yahaya, seeking voluntary retirement.
The action comes amid security challenges being faced by the military as it combats terrorists, bandits and other criminals in most parts of the country.
Some of the affected soldiers who spoke to SaharaReporters cited loss of interest, intimidation by superiors, corruption in the army, and low morale as their reasons for resignation.
The soldiers in a letter to the army chief under Reference NA/COAS/001, quoted the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service soldiers/rating/airmen (Revised) 2017.
There have been allegations of corruption in the Nigerian Army which some of the soldiers have blamed for the issue.
According to some soldiers, the army is the epitome of deep-seated corruption. They noted that the corruption is affecting the prosecution of the anti-terrorism war in the North-East.
Recently, army personnel deployed for counterinsurgency operations in Borno State lamented that those who were to relieve them three months after they were asked to leave the battlefield had yet to resume.
The soldiers complained that they were being forced to confront Boko Haram militants, adding that their low morale and lack of willingness to continue to fight made it possible for terrorists to dislodge some military camps.
They complained of abandonment and accused the military authorities of keeping them on the war front beyond their approved period of stay.