The Nigerian Army says the viral video on social media alleging poor feeding of soldiers from the 159 Battalion in Kanama, Geidam Local Government, was not created by the Battalion’s soldiers but recorded by a police officer stationed with the troops in Geidam.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said contrary to the claim made in the video, no personnel in that location was served substandard meal as shown in the video.
Following the viral video, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has ordered an investigation led by the Commander of Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI to verify the claim and address any issues of poor feeding within the unit.
Preliminary findings also indicate that the police officer who recorded and shared the video may have done so with an undisclosed ulterior motive, which the ongoing investigation aims to uncover.
The leadership of the Nigerian Army according to the statement ‘places premium on the welfare and well-being of t
roops and their families to ensure that they are adequately rewarded and motivated.’
The Chief of Army Staff has demonstrated undeniable passion and commitment to the well-being of soldiers, especially those deployed on the frontlines. Their priceless sacrifices in defense of the nation and in ensuring citizens’ safety and security are supported by various welfare schemes introduced and currently implemented by the COAS
The statement said; ‘The Army reeled out these schemes to include increase in the Ration Cash Allowance, prompt medical evacuation of wounded in action soldiers for both foreign and local treatments, commencement of payment of the backlog of Group Life Insurance Scheme that had accumulated since 2012.
‘Affordable House Ownership Option for all Soldiers (AHOOAS) with the COAS offsetting about 60 percent of the cost, and the activation of Personnel Insurance Scheme payments to soldiers who incure injury in combat operations.
‘These are aside from massive revamping and equipping of Nigerian A
rmy Reference Hospitals and other medical facilities across formations and units of the Nigerian Army to cater for the health of personnel and their families and the ongoing renovation of old and construction of new accommodations for soldiers and their families in various Nigerian Army Cantonments and Barracks.’
The Nigerian Army, therefore, sincerely appreciates the troops for their inestimable service to fatherland and equally cherishes the public’s continued concern for the welfare of the troops as well as their cooperation and support in maintaining peace and security.
Source :News Agency of Nigeria