Nigerian Army Refutes Claims of Poor Troop Feeding in Zamfara
The Nigerian Army has dismissed online reports alleging inadequate feeding of troops engaged in Operation Hadarin Daji, combating insurgents in Zamfara State.
In a statement released on Thursday, Lt Colonel Ikechukwu Eze, the spokesperson for the 8 Division, refuted claims made by an online newspaper accusing the Army of neglecting the December salary and feeding allowances for the troops.
In response to the allegations, the Army’s statement read, “The attention of Headquarters 8 Division has been drawn to a report being circulated online alleging that troops deployed in Zamfara State are being poorly fed and have not been paid their December 2023 allowances.”
Contrary to the accusations, the statement emphasized the commitment of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, who has been actively involved in clearance operations in Zamfara State. The GOC demonstrated his dedication to the well-being and morale of the troops by sharing the same source of sustenance with them. The statement further highlighted the GOC’s open-door policy, encouraging officers and soldiers to approach him with concerns, ideas, and challenges.
The Army clarified, “While we acknowledge that there could be gaps in dispensing troops ration, they could be isolated cases that would have received prompt attention if brought to the knowledge of the authority through available channels of communication, as the GOC places a premium on the well-being of his troops.”
Addressing concerns about the processing of troops’ operations allowance for December, the statement assured, “We must, however, clarify that troops’ operations allowance for December is still being processed and will be disbursed as soon as it is ready.”
It was earlier reported that Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, directed an investigation into complaints of poor troop feeding on the frontline in the northeast region combating insurgency.
Major Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, affirmed the COAS’s commitment to the welfare of troops and assured the public of a thorough investigation to address the complaints.
