The Nigerian Army on Sunday denied online reports that soldiers were threatening mutiny over pay, calling the stories “false, misleading and deliberately sensational.”
In a statement, Col. Appolonia Anele, acting director of Army public relations, said the story published by Sahara Reporters “relied solemnly on anonymous, unverifiable claims circulated through non-official channels.”
She added: “Such narratives do not represent the views, conduct or disposition of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.”
The army stressed that “mutiny is a grave offence under military law and alien to the ethos, discipline and professionalism of Nigerian Army personnel, who remain loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”
The statement also asked the public to remember that pay for servicemen is made up of several parts.
“Promotion increments are only one component of military remuneration,” the army said, noting salaries include “consolidated salaries, rank-based allowances, operational allowances, field and hardship allowances and other entitlements that vary by deployment, qualification and responsibilities.”
Col. Anele said the army is working with government bodies to improve troop welfare.
“The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and relevant government authorities, continues to implement structured welfare reforms, including periodic salary reviews, enhanced operational allowances, improved accommodation, medical care, and insurance packages for troops and their families.”
She added that the Chief of Army Staff “on assumption of duty has initiated positive engagements with the appropriate authority on troops welfare. This is already yielding progressive outcomes.”
The statement concluded: “The public is urged to disregard such unfounded reports and rely on official communication channels for accurate information concerning the Armed Forces.”
