Soldiers not served poor meal, Army reacts to viral video

The Nigerian Army has said the individual in a viral video complaining about soldiers being poorly fed in Yobe State is not a military personnel.

In the viral video, the man displayed the small portion of semo he received, lamenting that soldiers in Kanama, Yobe State, were being inadequately fed with poor meals.

However, reacting in a statement on Thursday, the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the authorities immediately launched an investigation into the matter.

According to him, the investigation revealed that the person in the viral video was not its personnel.

Onyema said no personnel in that area were served with substandard meals.

He said, “The Nigerian Army has taken note of a viral video on social media alleging that soldiers of 159 Battalion in Kanama, Geidam Local Government, are being poorly fed.

“Sequel to the viral video, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered an investigation headed by the Commander Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI to ascertain the veracity of the claim to address any problem of poor feeding in the unit.

“Following the findings of the investigation, it is crucial to clarify that the video in question was not created by soldiers of 159 Battalion, but was rather recorded by a police officer stationed with the troops deployed in Geidam. Contrary to the claim made in the video, no personnel in that location was served substandard meals as shown in the video. ”

Onyema said the police officer made the video and shared it online with an ulterior motive.

He stated that the Nigerian Army doesn’t joke with the welfare of its personnel on the frontline.

Onyema said, “Preliminary investigation has also revealed that the police officer who recorded and shared the video did so with an ulterior motive yet to be uncovered by the investigation. It is anticipated to be unravelled during further investigation.

“It is expedient to unambiguously state that the leadership of the Nigerian Army places a premium on the welfare and well-being of troops and their families to ensure that they are adequately rewarded and motivated.

“The COAS has continued to show undeniable passion and commitment to the well-being of soldiers, particularly those deployed on the frontlines, where they are making priceless sacrifices in defence of the nation and ensuring the safety and security of the citizens.

“This is evident in the several welfare schemes berthed and currently implemented by the COAS. These include an increase in the Ration Cash Allowance, prompt medical evacuation of wounded in action soldiers for both foreign and local treatments and commencement of payment of the backlog of the Group Life Insurance Scheme that had accumulated since 2012. Affordable House Ownership Option for all Soldiers with the COAS offsetting about 60 per cent of the cost, and the activation of Personnel Insurance Scheme payments to soldiers who incure injury in combat operations.

“These are aside from massive revamping and equipping of Nigerian Army Reference Hospitals and other medical facilities across formations and units of the Nigerian Army to cater for the health of personnel and their families and the ongoing renovation of old and construction of new accommodations for soldiers and their families in various Nigerian Army Cantonments and Barracks.”