The Nigerian Army High Command has denied claims of corruption and diversion of Ration Cash Allowance, RCA, to troops.
The claims were apparently made by troops stationed in Niger State to protect Chinese nationals working on the ongoing Zungeru Hydroelectric Dam Project.
The Nigerian Army disputed the claims in a statement signed by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations.
The troops claimed that their former General Officer Commanding Major General Alabi and Brigadier General Jamiu Jimoh had failed to pay their RCA for three months.
“We wish to state unequivocally that, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the welfare of troops takes a premium place amongst other important schemes and considerations, as it is one of the vital pillars of his Command Philosophy,” the statement continued.
Contrary to the allegations, preliminary investigation found that troops stationed at the Chinese Company in Niger State have always been paid in tranches by the Nigerian Army upon receipt of monies from the institution in question, according to Nwachukwu.
“As a result, the last tranche payment of RCA by the affected institution for the deployed troops lapsed on February 28, 2023.”
“While the next tranche of payment is being processed, Army Headquarters has paid the troops covering the period 1 March – 30 June 2023 in a bid to ameliorate the operating conditions of the troops and keep them at par with deployments elsewhere,” the statement continued.
The statement also revealed that, in order to mitigate the impact of the tranche style of payment, provisions were made to feed the troops on a daily basis, which has become normal.
Nwachukwu stressed that the Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for any type of money embezzlement and is vehemently opposed to any action that is detrimental to military morale.