FG Pays Our Salaries As At When Due, We’re Not Planning Any Protest – Army

The Nigerian Army has come out to deny that its personnel are planning to protest over poor working conditions and unpaid emoluments among others.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu recently had his say via a press statement, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, the reports of a planned protest are nothing but an unsubstantiated and a failed attempt at institutional blackmail, and those behind it are simply trying to cause disaffection among personnel of the service.

He added that in addition to welfare packages introduced by the current leadership of the Nigerian Army, salaries and other allowances of personnel have always been paid as and when due.

His words, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to yet another mischievous report peddled by some online media, alleging serving officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army are planning to storm Abuja, to protest over unpaid emoluments, poor working conditions and other unsubstantiated allegations.”

“Judging by the unprofessional and irresponsible manner in which the release was made, citing faceless persons, it could have been ignored. However, the weighty nature of the claims demands some clarification for the sake of well meaning Nigerians.”

“It is on record that officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, like never before, has witnessed exceptional positive changes in the moral and physical components of the force. It is therefore crucial to state in very clear terms, that the NA has never had it so good, given the quantum of combat and logistics equipment that have been injected into the theatres of operations, a circumstance that has evidently turned the tide against the complex array of threats facing the nation.”

“It must be made crystal clear that the NA remains a symbol of national unity and therefore cannot afford to be divided along ethnic or religious lines.”

“Troops deployed in ongoing operational engagements are putting in their best for the nation and should be encouraged, rather than plotting disaffection amongst them.”