About 100 soldiers who were allegedly dismissed by the Nigerian Army last
year for losing their weapons and operational base to Boko Haram
insurgents in the North East on Wednesday protested their dismissal from
the army.
The soldiers are demanding that the Nigerian Army obey the directive by
President Muhammadu Buhari for their reinstatement since August 2015.
They also complained of not receiving their salaries since July last year,
a situation they say has brought untold hardship to them and their
families.
Some of them told journalists that their travails started after they were
thoroughly scrutinized in September 2015 by an army investigative board
led by the General Officer Commanding One Division, Major General Adeniyi
Oyebade, and thereafter transferred to the Nigerian Army Training Centre
(NATRAC) in Kontagora, Niger state for a pre-reposting training.
After the training, the soldiers said their names were omitted in the list
of the over 3,000 that were re-instated, adding that nobody has been able
to explain to them the reason for the omission.
Presently, they alleged that their families as well as personal property
have been thrown out of the barrack following their dismissal.
The aggrieved soldiers, who said they were unjustly dismissed without any
known offence and without the benefit of fair hearing are appealing to
President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukut
Buratai, to intervene in the matter with a view to reinstating them.
The soldiers say they are willing and ready to serve the Nigerian Army and
the country again if they are re-instated.