The Nigerian Army has dismissed allegations that its personnel purchase uniforms and protective equipment with personal funds, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The rebuttal followed a viral interview by a former soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, who alleged that troops buy essential items such as uniforms, boots and bulletproof vests despite earning modest salaries.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, said the service operates a structured welfare and logistics system that adequately caters to its personnel.
She noted that soldiers receive consolidated monthly salaries alongside uniform allowances and other entitlements, which are paid directly into their accounts.
Anele added that troops deployed to operational theatres are entitled to additional allowances and mission-specific benefits aimed at enhancing their welfare and effectiveness.
“The claim that soldiers are required to purchase uniforms and protective equipment, including bulletproof vests and helmets, is entirely false,” the statement read.
“The provision of uniforms, kits, arms, ammunition and operational gear is an institutional responsibility executed through established logistics systems.”
The Army, however, acknowledged that some personnel may choose to supplement issued kits for personal comfort, stressing that such actions are voluntary and do not reflect any systemic failure.
It further maintained that no soldier is deployed for operations without adequate protective equipment.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no soldier is deployed to an operational theatre without the necessary protective equipment,” the statement added.
The Army urged the public to disregard what it described as baseless allegations, warning that the spread of unverified claims could undermine troop morale and national security.
Reacting to issues surrounding the former soldier’s dismissal, the Army clarified that Olamilekan was discharged over disciplinary infractions rather than for expressing his views.
According to the statement, his offences included repeated violations of military regulations, unauthorised media engagements and misuse of military identity, all of which contravened the Armed Forces Social Media Policy.
Olamilekan had earlier claimed that soldiers earned between N51,000 and N111,000 monthly and were responsible for procuring essential gear, sparking widespread reactions on social media.
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