In a heartfelt open letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, an anonymous soldier of the Nigerian Army expressed deep concern over the inadequate treatment of military personnel, highlighting the struggles they face in their daily lives while sacrificing for the nation.
Dated January 27, 2024, the letter titled ‘Expression of Concern Regarding Poor Welfare and Salaries of the Armed Forces Soldiers’ emphasized the disparity between meager salaries and the hazardous conditions under which soldiers operate.
The soldier revealed that a monthly salary of N50,000 is insufficient to buy even a single bag of rice, reflecting the financial hardships faced by the dedicated soldiers.
The letter outlined the soldiers’ challenges, including difficulties in providing for their families and meeting basic needs.
The financial burden is exacerbated by the need to purchase uniforms and essential equipment, with a soldier’s uniform costing more than a month’s salary.
The soldiers proposed either halting the recruitment of younger individuals or reducing the mandatory service years to 10 or 15, along with allowing soldiers to engage in side hustles for additional income.
Calling for comprehensive reform, the letter underscored the unrecognized hard work of rank and file soldiers, who are inadequately compensated and provided insufficient time with their families.
The disparity between experienced Master Warrant Officers and less experienced young officers in terms of tasks and compensation was also highlighted.
The soldiers implored President Buhari to take their grievances seriously, warning that if inequality persists, they may seek alternative endeavors for a better life.
Additionally, they reminded the President of the promised N35,000 monthly palliative for federal government workers, stating that only a single payment had been received so far, urging an investigation into the matter.
Concluding with a plea for immediate action to rectify these issues, the soldiers expressed hope that addressing their concerns would enhance morale within the Armed Forces and ensure continued effectiveness in securing the peace and security of the nation.
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