No fewer than 196 soldiers stationed in Nigeria’s North-East and other conflict zones have applied for voluntary retirement, citing worsening security conditions and dissatisfaction with the military’s management of the ongoing crises.
According to sources, many of the soldiers have expressed interest in joining foreign military forces, including the British Army, the Ukrainian Army, and other Commonwealth nations’ forces.
These soldiers, who represent various formations across the country and are all junior cadres, have had their resignations approved by Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja. The formal disengagement was signed by Brigadier OH Musa on August 23. The list of soldiers did not specify which were leaving on medical grounds and which were taking voluntary retirement, although none had reached the required retirement age or completed the mandatory years of service.
The resignations come amid allegations of deep-seated corruption within the Nigerian Army, with soldiers claiming it hampers the fight against insurgent groups like Boko Haram in the North-East. They have also complained of being stationed in conflict zones for longer than their approved periods, poor living conditions, inadequate equipment, and low morale.
A recent report by *SaharaReporters* revealed that frustration among troops is growing, with some soldiers considering protests. A military source disclosed that the medical corps personnel are among the first group to exit, with infantry and armored corps expected to follow suit.
