At least 356 soldiers have reportedly resigned from the
Nigerian army, citing loss of interest as their reason.
The soldiers, The PUNCH reports, are mostly from the
north-east theatre of operation where the Boko Haram insurgency has persisted
for more than a decade.
Their ranks include master warrant officers, warrant
officers, staff sergeants, sergeants, lance corporals, corporals and privates.
Although the Nigerian army denied the resignation which it
described as “fake news” via its Twitter handle, a military source told
TheCable on Sunday that the soldiers truly resigned.
The source said some of them involved in the war against
Boko Haram are “tired”, citing a recent onslaught by the insurgents as one of
the reasons.
“Some of these soldiers are tired. We’ve lost many of our
colleagues,” the source said.
“The last attack on troops in Damboa, more than 20 soldiers
died and up till now 50 are still missing, yet the authorities said only two
died.”
According to The PUNCH, the soldiers are among 380 personnel
whose application for voluntary disengagement from service was recently
approved to take effect from January.
Twenty-four others reportedly gave their reason as “to take
a traditional title”.
The approval for the resignation was said to be in a
circular signed by T.E. Gagariga, a brigadier general, on behalf of the chief
of army staff.
The circular read: ”In compliance with the provisions of
Reference A, the COAS vide Reference B has approved the voluntary and medical
discharge of the above named MWO, and 385 others listed as Annexes A and B.
“The soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave December 3,
2020, while their disengagement date takes effect from January 3, 2021, in
accordance with the Nigerian Army Administrative Policy and Procedures No 27
Paragraphs 3 and 4.
“Accordingly, I am directed to request formations and units
to release all affected soldiers to report at the Headquarters, Garrison, with
their unit service documents for documentation.
“All forms of military-controlled items, arms, ammunition,
and items of combat kits are recovered from the soldiers prior to their
disengagement date and certify that they are properly de-kitted. Please
acknowledge.”
The war against Boko Haram insurgents in the north-east has
experienced some setbacks recently — with casualties recorded by the Nigerian
military.
About a week ago, over 20 soldiers were reportedly killed in
an ambush by the insurgents, barely four months after about 70 soldiers died in
similar circumstances.
Amid the setbacks, President Muhammadu Buhari recently told
the service chiefs that their excuses would no longer be tolerated.
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