The Nigerian Army has yet to comment on the ongoing resignations and allegations of corruption.
Abuja, Nigeria – Amid escalating security challenges across Nigeria, 196 soldiers have tendered their resignation letters to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
The soldiers, primarily junior personnel serving in the North-East and other operational areas, applied for voluntary retirement amid worsening conditions in the country’s military forces.
According to sources, many of the soldiers have expressed interest in joining foreign military services such as the British Army, the Ukrainian Army, and those of other Commonwealth nations.
The resignations follow allegations of corruption within the Nigerian Army, which some soldiers have cited as a key factor in their decision to leave.
The list of soldiers, obtained on Saturday, included personnel from various army formations across the country. It did not, however, differentiate between those retiring voluntarily and those leaving due to medical reasons. None of the resigning soldiers had reached retirement age or completed their mandatory years of service.
The resignations, approved by the army chief on August 23, were confirmed in a letter signed by Brigadier OH Musa.
The disillusionment among soldiers has been fueled by reports of deep-seated corruption, particularly in the prolonged war against Boko Haram in the North-East. Soldiers have accused military authorities of extending their deployment in conflict zones beyond the approved duration, contributing to low morale and reluctance to continue fighting. These issues have reportedly led to the recent fall of several military camps to terrorists.
In recent weeks, there have been widespread complaints from soldiers regarding poor welfare, insufficient equipment, and inadequate support from the Nigerian government. Frustration over living conditions, outdated weaponry, and insufficient compensation has led many soldiers to seek opportunities abroad.
Sources within the military indicated that more resignations are expected in the coming weeks, particularly from the infantry and armored corps.
Soldiers reportedly view the current situation as unsustainable, with some even supporting calls for a protest over their conditions. One source stated, “Soldiers are leaving because the work is no longer sustainable. People are running every day to join the British Army, Ukraine, Russia, and Commonwealth armies.”
The Nigerian Army has yet to comment on the ongoing resignations and allegations of corruption. However, the mass departure underscores the mounting internal issues within the military as it grapples with numerous security threats across the nation.
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