The Nigerian Army has strongly denied allegations of internal power struggles, welfare neglect, and financial exploitation made by anonymous soldiers against the command of the 90 Amphibious Battalion in Koko, Delta State .
The controversy began when social media posts, reportedly originating from soldiers within the battalion, made a series of damaging claims about their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel M.M. Garba . The Army has since labeled these accusations as baseless and a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of the battalion's leadership .
In a statement released on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, addressed the claims directly . He stated that the Division does not wish to engage with online agitators but felt it was important to correct the record regarding what he called "unsubstantiated and malicious falsehoods" .
The allegations from the soldiers were detailed and serious. They claimed that oil companies like Chevron and Seplat pay between ₦350,000 and ₦400,000 monthly for each soldier providing security at their facilities . However, the soldiers alleged they receive only about ₦40,000 of this money, accusing Lieutenant Colonel Garba of taking the rest . This forms the core of the financial exploitation claims.
Beyond the money, the anonymous troops also complained about poor living conditions. They alleged that raw food rations provided to them last less than a week, forcing soldiers to use their own salaries to buy enough food . One soldier was quoted as saying, "We work like elephants and eat like ants," summarizing their frustration .
The accusations also extended to unfair treatment in duty assignments. The soldiers claimed that standard three-month duty rotations were being unfairly extended to seven or eight months for some . They alleged that this practice favored Muslim soldiers who were loyal to the commanding officer and sidelined others on religious grounds .
The Army's response to these claims was comprehensive and firm. The statement from the 6 Division explained that postings and deployments in the Nigerian Army are routine and conducted professionally . The Army flatly rejected the idea that duties are assigned based on religion or personal loyalty, calling this assertion "baseless and a deliberate attempt at institutional and command defamation" .
While standing by the battalion's leadership, the Division did not completely dismiss the possibility of addressing problems. The statement reassured the public that any proven infractions would be duly investigated . It reiterated the Army's official zero-tolerance policy on corruption, welfare abuse, religiously biased postings, or any other misconduct within its ranks .
The Division also confirmed that Lieutenant Colonel Garba has been performing his duties professionally within the limits of available resources . It highlighted the existence of official and established channels for personnel to report administrative grievances at all levels, including within their own battalions . The Army suggested that any personnel avoiding these formal procedures and instead taking claims to social media might be trying to tarnish the institution's reputation .
The public was urged to ignore the allegations circulating online . At the same time, the Army affirmed that any substantiated reports of wrongdoing, particularly concerning extortion, would be investigated thoroughly . The statement concluded by reassuring residents of the Niger Delta that the 6 Division remains committed to their security and safety .
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges military institutions face in managing internal communications and morale. It also shows the tension between maintaining operational security and addressing legitimate soldier grievances. The Army's firm denial seeks to project an image of unity and professional integrity, aiming to quickly contain a public relations issue that could damage public trust.