In a shocking move, 196 Nigerian soldiers have tendered their resignation letters to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, citing corruption, low morale, and other reasons. The mass resignation comes as the military faces worsening security challenges in various parts of the country.
According to sources, many of the resigning soldiers plan to join the military forces of other countries, including the British Army and Ukrainian Army. The soldiers, mostly junior cadres, have been approved for voluntary retirement despite not having reached retirement age or completed their mandatory years of service.
The resignations have been attributed to corruption within the Nigerian Army, with soldiers complaining of being forced to confront Boko Haram militants without adequate support. “The army is the epitome of deep-seated corruption,” one soldier said. “It’s affecting the prosecution of the anti-terrorism war in the North-East.”
Soldiers have also expressed frustration with poor welfare, inadequate equipment, and lack of motivation. “Soldiers are leaving because the work is no longer sustainable,” a source said. “People are running every day to join British Army, Ukraine, Russia, Commonwealth army and the likes.”
The mass resignation has raised concerns about the Nigerian military’s ability to combat security challenges in the country.