Nigerian Army Freezes Accounts of 44 Deserting Personnel in Borno State
The Nigerian Army has declared 44 personnel assigned to combat terrorism in Borno State as deserters, leading to the freezing of their bank accounts. A military signal obtained by SaharaReporters indicated that these soldiers had failed to report to the 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga, Borno State, by the deadline of October 31, 2024.
The directive emphasizes the need for any soldier with information regarding the whereabouts of the absentees to notify the appropriate authorities for their apprehension. The personnel were deployed from various units and formations to participate in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which aims to combat the Boko Haram insurgency.
Despite the military signal stating that these soldiers had been officially posted to the brigade, they have remained absent without notification for over a month. The signal, dated November 1 and signed by Major HO Akoh, requested that the soldiers be declared absent without leave (AWOL) effective from November 1, 2024.
The notification extends to various army formations, instructing them to apprehend any of the missing soldiers found within their jurisdictions. This incident follows a recent trend of military personnel seeking voluntary retirement, with reports suggesting that many soldiers are considering joining foreign military forces, including those of the United Kingdom and Ukraine.
Soldiers have voiced concerns about corruption within the Nigerian Army, attributing low morale and a lack of willingness to continue fighting to prolonged deployments in the North-East. They allege that the corruption hampers the military’s efforts against Boko Haram and that many are forced to remain on the frontlines beyond their approved service periods.
The Nigerian Army has refuted these claims, stating that procedures for voluntary retirement and discharge are well-defined and adhered to. Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, emphasized that personnel are free to disengage in accordance with established guidelines, and that the discharge processes are routine and confidential, encompassing various reasons for leaving the service.