In the dense forests of northern Nigeria, where gunfire often replaces birdsong, many of the nation’s soldiers endure the harshest of realities — hunger, exhaustion, and despair. But their latest battle, they say, is not with terrorists or insurgents. It’s with their own institution.
A group of aggrieved Nigerian soldiers has cried out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, lamenting years of unpaid allowances and deep-seated corruption within the Nigerian Army’s leadership. In an open letter addressed to the President, they painted a distressing picture of hardship, accusing outgoing military chiefs of embezzlement and neglect.
“Our families are hungry while we stay in the bushes suffering just to protect the country,” the soldiers wrote. “We cannot continue to die like chickens. We have families too — parents, brothers, and sisters.”
An Army at War — Within Itself
The letter, which surfaced on Tuesday, revealed long-standing frustrations among the rank and file. Beyond the daily dangers of the battlefield, many soldiers claim they now face financial strangulation and administrative betrayal.
At the heart of their grievances lies the issue of non-regular allowances — a special welfare provision meant to cushion the hardships of deployment. The soldiers allege that although the Federal Government releases these funds annually, they receive only a fraction.
“The non-regular allowance is ₦100,000, but only ₦20,000 is being paid to us,” the letter stated. “The Chief of Army Staff and top generals are highly involved in this embezzlement.”
The claim, though yet to be officially verified, exposes growing discontent in the lower ranks. For soldiers deployed in combat zones — from Borno to Niger — even basic necessities such as uniforms, boots, and medical care are said to come out of their own pockets.
“We Buy Our Own Kits”
Beyond financial distress, the soldiers also detailed how they must personally fund their kits — the very gear meant to protect them in battle.
“We pay for essential items of kit out of our own money,” they lamented. “The Army has not provided adequate welfare support for us. Yet we are expected to perform better in the field.”
The letter further cited poor medical services across army formations and persistent delays in salary payments, which they say have left many soldiers demoralized.
“Many of us fall sick and receive no proper medical care,” one soldier reportedly told SaharaReporters anonymously. “If we die, our families are left to suffer, waiting for benefits that may never come.”
A Plea to the Commander-in-Chief
The soldiers’ message to President Tinubu was as much an appeal as it was a warning. They urged him to personally intervene to restore hope and accountability within the army, hinting at possible protests if their situation remains unchanged.
“We urge the President to look into these matters urgently and take necessary steps to address them. Otherwise, the junior soldiers will not perform our duties as expected,” they said.
They also raised concerns about stalled promotions for 2025, claiming that officers’ promotions are prioritized over those of non-commissioned soldiers, deepening a culture of inequality within the ranks.
Morale at Rock Bottom
Military analysts note that discontent among junior officers and soldiers, if left unaddressed, could have serious implications for national security. A demoralized army, some warn, is ill-equipped to win the confidence of the people or sustain the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry.
“The Nigerian Army is one of the most overstretched forces in Africa,” says defense analyst Tunde Agbaje. “When the men on the ground lose faith in leadership, it weakens not just morale, but the very foundation of national defense.”
A Cry for Justice
For now, the soldiers’ open letter stands as a raw reminder of the human cost of corruption and neglect. It reveals not only the struggles of those at the frontlines but also the systemic failures that plague Nigeria’s defense structure.
As one soldier poignantly wrote, “We swore to defend the green-white-green, not to die in silence.”
Tags: Nigerian Army • Bola Tinubu • Military Welfare • Corruption • Soldiers’ Protest • National Security
