The Nigerian Army has given reasons why it regularly publishes names of soldiers it disengages from the service.
According to the Army Headquarters, the disengagement of the soldiers from service is “routine and in line with laid down procedures”.
This was contained in a statement by the Nigerian Army Headquarters spokesman, Maj.-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in Abuja.
This came on the heels of a report alleging mass resignation of soldiers due to poor welfare and corruption.
But reacting, Nwachukwu described the allegations as false, unfounded. He stated that it is a “deliberate attempt to sow the seeds of disaffection and acrimony among the soldiers.
The spokesman maintained that those peddling the rumours are those who want to denigrate the patriotic service of personnel and reputation of the Nigerian Army.
He added: “Consequently, it is crucial to clarify that service in the Nigerian Army, like most militaries the world over, is voluntary and not conscriptive. This, therefore, provides that individuals are free and at liberty to disengage at will. The situation is the same as the Nigerian Army personnel are at liberty to disengage from time to time. And this is in accordance with laid-down procedures, as contained in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers) alike.
“Discharge from the Nigerian Army is routine and in line with laid-down procedures. Only in an unorganized army would the discharge of personnel be handled haphazardly. Hence, the compilation and release of names routinely, as must have been observed in the case of the Nigerian Army over the years.
“This process allows for personnel who are about to either mandatorily or voluntarily disengage to adequately prepare. And it allows for opportunity to process entitlements, emoluments, pensions, and gratuity for the period of service to the nation.
“In the instance cited in the hasty and haphazardly compiled report, due diligence was not taken. The Army was not able to ascertain the reasons for the discharge of the personnel, other than the spurious allegation of low morale and corruption.”
source: The Nation
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