The soldiers, drawn from various formations of the army across the country, are all the junior cadres who are mostly at the forefront in the field.
The military personnel, comprising one Master Warrant Officer, three Warrant Officers, 22 Staff Sergeants, 29 Sergeants, 64 Corporals, seven Lance Corporals and one Private, will disengage in May, according to a memo seen by PREMIUM TIMES.
The
list of the exiting soldiers did not distinguish between those
embarking on voluntary retirement and those leaving the army on medical
grounds.
According to the memo signed by T.A Gagariga, a
brigadier general, who communicated the approval of their
disengagements, the 127 soldiers are to submit all military properties
in their possession.
“In compliance with the provisions of
section A, the COAS vide reference B has approved the voluntary
discharge of the above named NWO and 126 others listed in annex A. The
soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave WEF 26th April, 21 while their
disengagement date takes effect from 26th May 21 in accordance with the
NA administrative policies and procedures No. 27 paragraphs 3 and 4,”
the memo read.“Accordingly, I am directed to request you relate
to their respective units to release the affected soldiers to report to
HQ CAR with their unit service documents for documentation NLT 5th
January 21 and ensure that:”“a. All forms of military
controlled items, arms, ammunition and items of combat kits are
recovered from the soldiers prior to their disengagement date and
certified that they are properly de-kitted.”
“b. They complete
all necessary documentation for withdrawal from: 1. NAWIS contributions
2. DENFUND contribution 3. National Mortgage Contributions,” the memo
read.
The
exit of the 127 soldiers who have neither attained retirement age nor
mandatory years of service, is coming in the middle of security crises
in the country.
Their resignation is coming after a larger number
of their colleagues quit en masse last July, a development which
insiders in the military said was indicative of low morale in the
forces.
insurgents in the North-east, armed bandits in the North-west and
North-central, as well as militants and pirates in the South-south.
The
Nigerian Armed Forces, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force, had in
the past lamented about insufficient personnel to help in restoration of
sanity in the country.
Recently, the Minister of Defence, Bashir
Magashi, a retired major general, said the military was understaffed
and underfunded to tackle the various security challenges facing the
country.
the minister’s claim of low funding for the military, the defence
sector has for the past five years taken a large chunk of Nigeria’s
budget.
Following repeated complaints about insufficient
personnel, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo revealed last year that there
was an ongoing deliberate and comprehensive consolidation of the
security situation in the country which included plans to recruit more
troops and officers to beef up the personnel of security agencies in
order to contain the threats and security concerns in the land.
Premium Times
Originally Published viaThe Gazette Nigeria
