The Nigerian Army has debunked allegations of maltreatment by some soldiers who were recently re-engaged after being dismissed. Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said yesterday that the allegations by the reinstated soldiers were not true.
Some of the soldiers had anonymously told Daily Trust in a story published on Friday that they had embarked on hunger strike to protest the army’s refusal to post and pay their re-engagement and training allowances five months after re-instatement.
The soldiers were part of about 2,500 soldiers and 102 officers dismissed from service over alleged offenses committed during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
“It is should be noted that the Nigerian Army has been tolerant and patient with their acts of indiscipline and unprofessional conducts. This is based on the understanding of their circumstances and conditions,” Usman said.
“Efforts have been made to retrain them, integrate and give them sense of belonging. But the attitude of some of them has left so much to be desired and would not be tolerated anymore,” he added.
He stressed that the army thrives on discipline, loyalty and good conduct and advised the concerned soldiers to leave if they cannot measure up to expectation or live by those tenets.
