The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered a thorough and detailed investigation into a viral video on social media, in which the footage showed some personnel displaying food items allegedly sent to them by their higher command, suggesting dissatisfaction with the quality and quantity of the food items.
A statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele said, while the authenticity and context of the video are yet to be fully ascertained, the Nigerian Army wishes to assure the general public and all personnel that the matter is being treated with the seriousness it deserves.
Consequently, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in line with the COAS commitment to transparency and accountability, the outcome of the investigation will be made public upon conclusion.
MUST READ: Nigerian Army Deploys 173 Troops To Guinea Bissau For Peacekeeping
The statement added that the Nigerian Army Chief reiterates that troops’ welfare remains his topmost priority, in line with his Command philosophy, which is further reinforced in the recently launched, “Soldier First” Concept, that places the welfare of family members, well-being, dignity, and operational readiness of soldiers at the core of all Army policies and actions.
The Nigerian Army encourages personnel to utilize established and appropriate Military channels to present their concerns or complaints especially on welfare services as the use of unauthorised platforms to express grievances, particularly on operational matters, is highly discouraged and considered a breach of Military ethics and discipline.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)