In an exclusive discussion with SaharaReporters, numerous Nigerian military personnel disclosed that thousands of soldiers engaged in counter-insurgency missions have been left unsupported in the field due to withheld operational allowances.
Deployed across the North-East under the banner of Operation Hadin Kai, Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents have raised urgent concerns about the non-disbursement of their essential field allowances. According to testimonies gathered by SaharaReporters, these funds have been withheld by their commanding officer, leaving many soldiers stranded without financial support.
During a Friday morning briefing, affected servicemen revealed that this predicament affects thousands of troops stationed in remote and hostile environments, where the absence of their monthly stipends severely undermines their ability to sustain themselves during active deployment.
The soldiers emphasized that although the allowance might appear modest, it is critical for maintaining their welfare and morale amid ongoing combat operations. The lack of these payments has led to a noticeable decline in motivation as they continue to confront insurgents under challenging conditions.
Currently engaged on the frontlines, these troops explained that the allowance is intended to cover basic living expenses while on duty. However, they accuse their Theatre Commander of deliberately withholding these funds, resulting in significant hardship within the ranks.
Operation Hadin Kai covers several strategic sectors 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 clarified that other states in the North-East geopolitical zone fall outside the scope of this operation.
The operational allowance is supposed to be paid monthly, typically on the first day of each month. However, the troops report that FCMB bank has declined to process payments for thousands of soldiers’ accounts, further complicating the disbursement process.
This financial support extends beyond the Nigerian Army to include other security agencies involved in Operation Hadin Kai, such as mobile police units and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The daily allowance is set at N1,500, amounting to roughly N46,500 per month. Despite this, soldiers complain that payments have become increasingly sporadic and unreliable, with many months going unpaid.
One soldier remarked, “Since Major General Wahidi Shuaib assumed the role of Chief of Army Staff, the consistency of our operational allowances has deteriorated, with frequent delays and omissions.”
The troops have identified Major General Abubakar, the Theatre Commander, as responsible for the ongoing payment delays and have urged immediate corrective action to prevent further erosion of soldier morale.
This issue is not unprecedented. In September 2025, SaharaReporters reported similar grievances from Nigerian Army personnel concerning unpaid allowances and insufficient salaries, calling on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intervene.
Soldiers also disclosed that efforts to voice their concerns have been met with intimidation from military leadership, hindering transparent resolution of the problem.
Beyond demanding the release of outstanding payments, the troops are advocating for a comprehensive review of the allowance framework to reflect Nigeria’s current economic realities, including inflation and rising costs of living.
Attempts to secure an official comment from the Nigerian Army were unsuccessful, with calls and messages to Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of the Directorate of Army Public Relations, remaining unanswered at the time of publication.
