The Nigerian Army has accused 44 personnel posted to fight terrorists in Borno State wanted for desertion.
In a military signal exclusively obtained by The Bureau Newspaper, the soldiers were declared as deserters bound to face dire consequences if found.
The Army authorities have also frozen the banks accounts of the affected personnel.
The signal mandated any soldier with information on the whereabouts of the missing personnel to “intimate NAIC and NACMP to apprehend them if seen and bring them under military escort for disciplinary action.”
The Bureau Newspaper, learnt that the affected soldiers were deployed from various units and formations to 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga community, Borno State.
403 AMPH BDE is under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Sector 3, Nigeria.
MNJTF is a combined multinational formation, comprising units, mostly military, from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria and mandated to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.
However, while the wanted soldiers were expected to report at the unit not later than October 31, 2024, they have remained absent a month after without notice.
“Reference A promulgated the posting of the above named SNCO and 42 others from unit indicated against their name at Annex A to this formation. However, Reference B requested for their release to report for military duties to avoid AWOL action against them,” the military signal dated November 1 and signed by Major HO Akoh on behalf of 403 Amphibious Brigade Commander read.
“Furthermore, Reference C as well raised a reminder on the initial request of their release to report not less than 31 Oct 24 and they are still absent. In view of the aforementioned, I am directed to respectfully request you declare them on AWOL WEF 1 NOV 24.
“I am to further add you please cause HQ NAFC to freeze their salary account accordingly while you intimate NAIC and NACMP to apprehend them if seen and bring them under military escort for disciplinary action. Please find at Annex A List of soldiers posted in to 403 Amphibious Brigade (Rear).”
Various formations of the army have also been notified to immediately apprehend and deliver any of the soldiers found in their areas of responsibilities.
This comes a few months after about 196 soldiers in the North-East region and other theatres of operation applied to the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff for voluntary retirement.
Unconfirmed sources in the military told The Bureau Newspaper, that most of the soldiers resigning had indicated interest to join the military forces of other countries, including the British Army, Ukrainian Army, and other Commonwealth nations.
The soldiers, drawn from various formations of the army across the country, are all junior cadres.
The list of the exiting soldiers did not distinguish between those embarking on voluntary retirement and those leaving the army on medical grounds.
However, none of them had attained retirement age nor the mandatory years of service.
The approval of their voluntary disengagement dated August 23 was signed by Brigadier OH Musa.
There have been allegations of corruption in the Nigerian Army which some of the soldiers have blamed on the issue – soldiers overstaying in the North-East.
According to some soldiers, the army is the epitome of deep-seated corruption. They noted that the corruption is affecting the prosecution of the anti-terrorism war in the North-East region.
They complained that they were being forced to confront Boko Haram militants, adding that their low morale and lack of willingness to continue to fight had made it possible for terrorists to dislodge some military camps.
They complained of abandonment and accused the military authorities of keeping them on the war front beyond their approved period of stay.
However, the Nigerian Army has denied the allegations made by the military sources, saying the processes for voluntary retirement and discharge are clearly outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for both officers and soldiers.
A statement issued by Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, regarding the issue, assured that the procedures were strictly being adhered to.
He recently said, “This, therefore, provides that individuals are free and at liberty to disengage at will. The situation is the same as the Nigerian Army.
“Personnel are at liberty to disengage from time to time in accordance with laid down procedures
“Discharge from the Nigerian Army is routine and in line with laid down procedures.
“Only in an unorganised army would the discharge of personnel be handled haphazardly; hence, the compilation and release of names routinely, as must have been observed in the case of the Nigerian Army over the years.”
“This process allows for personnel who are about to either mandatorily or voluntarily disengage to adequately prepare and process entitlements, emoluments, pensions, and gratuity for the period of service to the nation,” he said.
Nwachukwu said the reasons for the discharge of personnel were confidential, as they range from voluntary disengagements, medical grounds, and pursuit of other professions of interest and endeavours, and community service, amongst others.