Troops involved in the ongoing military crackdown on insurgents in the North-East are complaining about the non-payment of their operational allowances by the Defence authorities.
Investigations revealed that the troops were owed operational allowances for the months of August and September, 2016.
It was gathered that the Defence chiefs, who are disturbed by the delay, said to have been caused by the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government, had been engrossed in moves to raise funds from ‘any possible source’ to settle the outstanding allowances of the troops.
The Federal Government pays N45,000 to every soldier involved in the ongoing operation against the insurgents in the North-East out of which N15,000 is used for feeding and N30,000 given to each soldier.
It was gathered that the delay was caused by the non-release of funds for the fourth quarter to the military.
A source explained, “The troops are complaining and are sending out messages over the delay and the authorities are also disturbed. The delay is caused by the TSA policy of the government and other administrative issues.
“In order to avoid a drop in morale, the Defence authorities have dispatched unit commanders to speak to the troops to calm them down. They promised to pay this week.”
The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, has said the delay, “if any”, was as a result of some administrative bottlenecks, which would be sorted out soon.
He said, “In compliance with the Federal Government directive, you know all these monetary transactions are strictly on the BVN, and we are fully complying with this.
“The soldiers should exercise patience, it is not even soldiers that are complaining; it is just a few people who want to capitalise on this. Our soldiers are disciplined and would not do this kind of thing.
“All their welfare, all their welfare needs have been taken care of. So, I believe nobody would do anything with anybody’s funds. This present leadership would never do anything that is not ethical.”
