The Nigerian Army has laid a serious complaint against the current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Christopher Musa and General Oluyede due to what could be termed as high-handedness and mistreatment of his subordinates as well as the Nigerian Army Privates.
In a Press statement co-signed and issued by the Nigerian Army Personnel, the reign of current CDS has been characteristised with partiality, neglect and lack of priority for the welfare and well being of the Nigeria Army Personnel since assumed office.
Read the Full Statement below:
COMPLAIN AGAINST THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF GEN CG MUSA AND THE COAS, LT GEN OLUYEDE
The appointment of Gen CG Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year 2023 was received with joy by many members of the Armed Forces although a few personnel who knew him when he was a young officer then in 73 Battalion Elele said he was a very corrupt officer.
His action towards Soldiers’ concern when he assumed office newly as CDS was a mere rhetoric.. Under Gen Musa and Gen Oluyede. the following issues are raising tension in the Army among junior ranks or none commission officers who have been not only defrauded for years but also grossly abused or maltreated.
1.The none payment of complete Operation allowance to the Nigerian continents who have returned from foreign mission in both Gambia and Guinea Bisssu since June 2024.
2. The none payment of 25%/35% Arrears to non commission officers NCO in the Nigerian Army which was paid to all FG workers, paramilitary and Public Servants in October salary..
3. The none implementation of Manual Financial Administration MAFA document which was approved by former president Mohammadu Buhari since 2018 to NCO of the Army
4. The illegal removal of the NCO and junior ranks from the IPPIS Platform since 2019. This is to further oppress and deny junior rank of all their entitlement, allowances contained in MAFA document.
5. The existing disparity against NCO by commission Officers making soldiers the least paid workers in Nigeria today
6. The irregular payment of RCA or operation allowances to troops on various operations across the country by Defence Headquarters.
7. The poor medical treatment against Sldrs and their families in different military clinics across army formations in the country.
8. The continued denial of Sldrs with military kids, Uniforms and boots even as each year quantum fund is being disbursed by Federal Government of Nigeria for kidding servicemen.
9. The poor feeding posed against Sldrs in operation areas despite recent increment by the authority.
10. The continued illegal sharing of stolen funds from the non commission Officers salary and allowances to all retired and serving Major Generals and above during COAS quarterly conferences
11. The illegal diversion of funds disbursed by FGN for renovation of dilapidated Barracks in the country by the CDS and his principal Staff at the Defence Headquarters.
The issues listed above if not addressed soon will have adverse effects on troops morale in discharging their duty professionally.
The day Soldiers stop bringing their problems to you is the day you stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them, or concluded you don’t care. Either case, is a failure of leadership… Colin Powell
On behalf of the concern and patriotic Soldiers, l wish to appeal to the FGN through the Minister of Defence His excellency Matawalle and our reputable NSA National Security Adviser to look into the aforementioned fraud, challenges, complain or massive corruption which has bedeviled the Nigerian Army posing serious threat to the system.
Junior rank or non commission officers be restored to the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System IPPIS Platform as their counterpart in other Arms of Service, Public Servants or paramilitary.
The NA high command has failed to observed its envisaged core values of discipline, loyalty, respect for others and selfless service.
The widespread oppression and disparity is one of the major factors compelling servicemen of the Army to go on massive voluntary retirement every year.
Signatories :
MWO Dudu Ishaya
WO Jeff Hassan
Ssgt Adamu Usmaniya
Sgt Maiyaki Ikon Allah.