Soldiers of the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Bauchi State have accused their Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. A.K. Kachalla, of forcing troops to remit up to ₦500,000 weekly from checkpoint collections under threat of removal, while barracks facilities reportedly deteriorate.
Soldiers serving with the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State, have alleged that their Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. A.K. Kachalla, forces troops deployed to checkpoints to remit weekly financial “returns” of up to ₦500,000 or face removal from their posts. Multiple military sources who spoke to SaharaReporters on Wednesday claimed that soldiers stationed along major routes—including Kano Road, Maiduguri Road, Dambam, and Jama’are—are expected to collect money from passengers and motorists, which is then handed over to their commanding officer.
“Soldiers will be deployed to a checkpoint to be collecting money from passengers and a commanding officer will be waiting for return of ₦500,000 every week,” one source alleged. “If the soldiers didn’t meet up with the demands, they will change them immediately from the checkpoint and bring new soldiers.” Sources described the practice as systemic and said it began shortly after Lt. Col. Kachalla assumed command. “Since this CO took over, things have gone from bad to worse,” a source said, adding that electricity and water supply in the barracks have collapsed, causing severe hardship for soldiers and their families.
The soldiers contrasted the current conditions with those under a former commander, Lt. Col. P.O. Mukoro. “We remember during Lt. Col. P.O. Mukoro, now Col. P.O. Mukoro, we enjoyed 24 hours light and water everywhere. He is one of the best commanding officers the unit has ever had, and we are still missing him till now,” a source said. The troops called on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, to remove Lt. Col. Kachalla and demanded an independent investigation into alleged extortion linked to checkpoint deployments. “The issue of checkpoint deployment return must be properly investigated,” another source insisted. “This is damaging the image of the Army and destroying morale among soldiers.”