Some Nigerian soldiers deployed to the North-East under Operation Hadin Kai have accused their commander of withholding their monthly operation allowances, SaharaReporters has learnt. The affected troops, who spoke in an exclusive interview on Friday, alleged that thousands of personnel currently engaged in counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram have been left without the funds meant to support them while in the field, leading to a sharp decline in morale.
According to the soldiers, the operation allowance is intended to sustain them while they remain in the bush confronting terrorists, but they have not received the payments despite being actively deployed. They said the allowance, though modest, plays a crucial role in meeting basic needs during operations and accused their comma nder of withholding the funds. The soldiers added that the allowance is paid monthly, usually on the first day of each month, but claimed that First City Monument Bank (FCMB) failed to disburse the funds to thousands of troops using the bank.
Operation Hadin Kai covers several areas in the North-East, including Sector 1 and Sector 3 in Maiduguri, Borno State; Sector 2 in Damaturu, Yobe State; and Sector 4 in Yola, Adamawa State. The soldiers said the allowance applies not only to military personnel but also to other security agencies involved in the operation, including mobile police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), adding that troops deployed outside the operation’s designated states are not beneficiaries of the scheme.