The Nigerian Army said the recent successes recorded by its troops in the fight against insurgency and banditary was down to the improved welfare package introduce by Chief of Army Staff General Farouk Yayah
Army spokesman Bridadier-Deneral Onyeama Nwachukwu made the declaration, while reacting to reports casting the recent retirement of 243 soldiers in bad light. He said the reports were meant to deflate the morale of troops that have improved welfare such as loans, housing loans, extensive construction of new accommodation, massive renovation of old and dilapidated accommodation.
“These interventions evidently account for troops’ game changing onslaught in the North East.
It must also be mentioned, that the quantum of equipment that have been injected into the theatres and prompt payment of operational allowances, have all turned the tide against the insurgents.
“Also worthy of note is the welfare flight for troops, which has significantly reduced the burden of troops travelling in and out of the theatres, in addition to huge commitment on the medical needs of wounded-in-action soldiers and the barracks communities,” Brigadier-General Nwachukwu said in a statement.
He said the retirements were voluntary:
“Perhaps these impenitent mischief makers need to be schooled to understand that the NA is not a conscript Army and that recruitment into the NA is voluntary with extant policy on discharge and retirement of soldiers and officers respectively, like other organizations.
“This provides its personnel the opportunity to apply for voluntary discharge, when they deem fit and meet the terms and conditions as stipulated in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service soldiers/ratings/airmen (Revised) 2017.
“It is thus, the inalienable right of a personnel to voluntarily or on medical grounds apply for discharge, if they meet the terms. It is therefore not an aberration that the COAS granted approval for 91 NA/32/4792 WO NDAGANA ISHIAKU and 242 others to voluntarily discharge from the NA, as being unprofessionally manipulated by some media.”