Soldiers in a key Nigerian Army unit are calling for an independent investigation into serious allegations of corruption and religious bias. The claims come from the 90 Battalion in Koko, Warri, Delta State. Personnel there say internal corruption and unfair treatment have damaged morale and discipline .
Multiple soldiers have spoken out about conditions within the battalion. They say problems include the diversion of welfare supplies and improper influence by senior non-commissioned officers. The soldiers also allege that assignments to lucrative checkpoint duties are based on religious favoritism . These claims present a challenge for the Nigerian Army at a time when it is engaged in multiple security operations across the country.
The soldiers, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of punishment, describe a unit where the normal chain of command has broken down. They claim two senior sergeants, Sgt Babangida Galadima and Sgt Abdulmalik Musa, hold excessive power. According to the troops, these sergeants have more influence than commissioned officers, including the Finance Officer and the newly posted Chief Clerk . One soldier stated that officers are careful around them because of the system that has been built over time .
The allegations extend to the basic welfare of the soldiers stationed in the riverine area. They report struggling to get clean drinking water. They also face problems getting approval for leave because necessary gunboats are often not available . There are also claims of administrative chaos. A newly appointed Master Warrant Officer, who was made Chief Clerk, reportedly received no formal handover. This is against standard military procedure and suggests a collapse of proper structure, an internal source claimed .
Perhaps the most divisive accusation involves religious bias in posting soldiers to checkpoints. Several personnel allege that Muslim soldiers were consistently assigned to revenue-producing checkpoints like Amukpe, Jesse, Oton, and Koko . These postings were said to come with an unofficial weekly payment of ₦200,000. Soldiers claim this money was then remitted to the two senior sergeants . One soldier claimed the postings were not based on rotation or merit, but on religion and loyalty . These specific claims of religious bias have not been independently verified, and the Army has not responded to them .
In a sudden move, the battalion rotated its troops on Saturday, November 22. Soldiers believe the timing was suspicious. They see it as an attempt to scatter those who know too much about the alleged practices, rather than a routine rotation . The soldiers also question the speed of an internal investigation. They find it hard to believe the army could properly look into complex issues like welfare abuse and religious postings in just 24 hours .
An earlier official rebuttal from the battalion raised more questions than it answered. The statement claimed that the Commanding Officer, Lt Col M. M. Garba, assists soldiers with ₦7 million monthly . This claim has caused skepticism among the troops. They are asking where such a large amount of money comes from and how it is spent. One soldier pointedly asked if the money was from Army Headquarters, a private donor, or the officer's personal income .
This is not the first time Lt Col Garba has faced complaints. In a previous report from November 21, soldiers of the 90 Amphibious Battalion accused him of poor welfare conditions. They alleged he was diverting allowances meant for personnel deployed to guard oil facilities . The soldiers claimed that while oil companies pay between ₦350,000 and ₦400,000 monthly per soldier for security, the troops themselves only receive ₦40,000 . They described struggling to survive in the harsh economy and called for his removal .
However, a different investigation presents a conflicting account. A report from Zagazola Makama claims that allegations against the Commanding Officer are inaccurate . This review found that Lt Col Garba has properly managed entitlements and even provided extra support. According to this investigation, the RCA allowance for soldiers was raised from ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 . It also states that soldiers deployed to oil facilities receive a ₦150,000 monthly feeding allowance paid directly by the companies. The report acknowledges that one company, SEPLAT, has not made these payments since January 2025 .
This contrasting account also addresses the mysterious ₦7 million. It states the Commanding Officer personally contributes this amount monthly for feeding across deployed locations and the base . Soldiers quoted in this report praise their commander. One said, "Our Commanding Officer has never misappropriated soldiers’ allowances. Every soldier receives their full entitlements" . Another, speaking in Pidgin English, said, "Our CO na Good man i swear...Person just wan spoil him name" .
The 90 Battalion operates in a sensitive and volatile region. It mans waterways and checkpoints in creeks known for illegal oil bunkering and smuggling. This environment has historically made the battalion vulnerable to internal corruption networks . A retired soldier who served in the unit for years said that when unusual power is concentrated in the hands of sergeants, it is often linked to the profitable environment they operate in .
The soldiers making these allegations say they do not want to create chaos. They say they are loyal to the Nigerian Army but are demanding fairness and transparency. They are calling for a neutral, independent investigation to clean up the mess in their battalion . The concerned personnel have stated they are willing to testify before an independent panel, provided they are protected from revenge attacks .
Efforts to get an official response from the Nigerian Army's Director of Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyinyechi Appolonia, were not successful. She did not answer calls or reply to a text message seeking her reaction to the claims . The situation highlights the critical importance of troop morale and fair leadership in the success of military operations. As one retired soldier noted, failing to correct these failures will continue to sink the morale of soldiers .