356 Nigerian soldiers in the North-East and other theatres of operation have applied for voluntary retirement. The soldiers applied to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, citing “loss of interest” as their reason for disengagement.
The letter of the soldiers is dated July 3, 2020, with Reference NA/COAS/001, quoting the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service soldiers/rating/airmen (Revised) 2017.
The voluntary disengagement of the 356 soldiers was approved. This was contained in a 17-page circular from Buratai, AHQ DOAA/G1/300/92, signed by Brig Gen T.E. Gagariga for the army chief.
The document was also copied to Headquarters, Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Borno State, the Headquarters of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 81, and 82 Divisions of the Nigerian Army and other formations.
According to ThePunch, it is observed from the list that the majority of the soldiers applying for voluntary disengagement and citing loss of interest are from the North-East theatre of operation – a development which military sources attributed to loss of morale, poor weapons, unimproved allowances and the continuous loss of soldiers to Boko Haram attacks.
Since the beginning of 2020, Boko Haram attacks on military locations in the North-East have been on increase, with many casualties on the part of the troops of the Nigerian Army.
According to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, in March, 47 soldiers were killed by a bomb explosion, which was triggered by Boko Haram in Gorigi, near Alargano Forest area of Borno State.
Also, in March, the Army confirmed the death of three soldiers while several were injured in a Boko Haram attack in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.
In May, report had it that the Boko Haram attacked an army location belonging to the 156 Battalion on the Mainok area with at least 10-gun trucks, five soldiers died in the attack, while several were injured.
In June, the Boko Haram terrorist in a gun battle in the Doron Naira and Magaji areas of Borno State shot dead an acting Commanding Officer of the army, Major K. Yakubu.
The late CO, also lost some of his troops in the terrorist attack. He was in charge of 401 Special Forces Brigade.
The retiring 356 soldiers are Master Warrant Officers, Warrant Officers, Staff Sergeants, Lance Corporals, Corporals and Privates.
The total number on the list of voluntary disengagement is 380. 356 of them cited loss of interest, while 24 cited “to take a traditional title.”
Gagariga, who wrote on behalf of the army general, Buratai, in the document, said, “In compliance with the provisions of Reference A, the COAS vide Reference B has approved the voluntary and medical discharge of the above named MWO, and 385 others listed as Annexes A and B.
“The soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave December 3, 2020, while their disengagement date takes effect from January 3, 2021, in accordance with the Nigerian Army Administrative Policy and Procedures No 27 Paragraphs 3 and 4. Accordingly, I am directed to request formations and units to release all affected soldiers to report at the Headquarters, Garrison, with their unit service documents for documentation.
“All forms of military-controlled items, arms, ammunition, and items of combat kits are recovered from the soldiers prior to their disengagement date and certify that they are properly de-kitted. Please acknowledge.”
