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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Army refutes owing soldiers, insists troops fully paid

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • The Nigerian Army's Theatre Command has refuted claims of non-payment of troops' allowances and intimidation, calling a viral video false and misleading.
  • The command stated that all legitimate allowances, including Ration Cash Allowance, Operational Allowance, and Habit Allowance, have been paid up to date as of May 2026.
  • A specific issue regarding an additional incentive for troops securing a national asset in Tuba is being addressed, with assurances that efforts are underway to secure payment.

The Headquarters, Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria has strongly refuted allegations circulating in a viral video concerning the non-payment of troops' allowances and the intimidation of a soldier. The military command described the claims as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to discredit the armed forces.

The Theatre Command categorically states that the claims contained in the video are false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and discredit the military command structure.

· Lieutenant Colonel Sani UbaMedia Information Officer, Theatre Command, on the viral video allegations.

In a statement released on Sunday, the command clarified that all legitimate allowances due to personnel under Operation HADIN KAI have been fully settled up to May 2026. This includes the Ration Cash Allowance, Operational Allowance, and Habit Allowance, which are disbursed either directly to soldiers or through unit structures. The command emphasized that personnel welfare remains a top priority.

The controversy appears to stem from an additional incentive payment for troops deployed to secure a critical national asset in Tuba. This incentive is separate from regular allowances and its payment is contingent on funding availability. The responsibility for this payment was transferred from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to the Borno State Government after the NNPC ceased operations in the area.

It is important to emphasize that all legitimate allowances due to troops under Operation HADIN KAI have been paid up to date as of May 2026, with no outstanding issues.

· Lieutenant Colonel Sani UbaClarification on the payment status of troops' allowances.

The command acknowledged that the specific issue raised in the video related to pending funds for this additional allowance. It assured that the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, Brigadier General Solomon Diwa, has been informed and is working to secure the payment once funds are released. Furthermore, the Theatre Command categorically denied any claims of intimidation or disciplinary action against the soldier featured in the video, stating such allegations are entirely unfounded.

The allegation that the soldier was intimidated or punished is entirely unfounded.

· Lieutenant Colonel Sani UbaRefuting claims of soldier intimidation within the Theatre Command.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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