The House of Representatives has said that it would investigate circumstances leading to the voluntary resignation of 365 soldiers from the Nigerian military.
The green chamber’s decision to carry out the probe followed the adoption of a motion of matters of urgent public importance moved by Muhammed Monguno, the Chief Whip of the House, and three others on Tuesday.
According to Monguno, the resignation of the soldiers was as a result of the alleged embezzlement of allowances and inferior military hardware.
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Monguno, in his motion, claimed that the development is not unconnected to the recent revelation by Lance Corporal Martins Idakpein.
Monguno stated:
On the 22nd of June 2020, a lance corporal in the Nigerian Army, Martins Idakpein made an online video where he condemned the attitude of the Service Chiefs towards the attacks and killing of Nigerians and soldiers as well as untold hardship soldiers face while conducting combat operations.
On several occasions, soldiers have disobeyed orders from superior officers in protest of poor welfare arrangements, and alleged embezzlement of allowances due them by the superiors, and there have been cases of mutiny and sporadic shooting and attempt shooting of superior officers.
Recently, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, the commander of operation Lafiya Dole was removed for complaining about inferior military wares while briefing the Chief of Army Staff.
According to the Chief Whip, it is dangerous to have disgruntled retired soldiers without employment opportunity.
On the 3rd of July, 366 soldiers which is a battalion serving in the north-east and other theatres of operation wrote to the COAS, asking for voluntary retirement from the Nigerian army, citing loss of interest.
Military sources blamed low morale and mass casualty for such resignations. If this is not brought under check by having disgruntled soldiers in the society without job security, it may become a major security threat.
The Committee on Army was, however, mandated to investigate the condition that led to the mass resignation.