The Nigerian Army has dismissed allegations of extortion and unpaid allowances among troops in Ogun State, labeling the claims as “false and misleading.”
In a statement released on Friday, the 35 Artillery Brigade responded to a viral video which suggested that soldiers manning border routes were extorting motorists and that personnel on “company duties” had been denied their stipends.
Major Idereghi Akari, the Brigade’s spokesperson, stated that the allegations were the work of a “disgruntled retired airman” with a history of spreading misinformation.
Allowance increase for troops
Addressing the issue of pay, the Army clarified that soldiers deployed under Operation MESA—a joint internal security task force in Ogun State—actually saw a pay rise last year.
According to the Brigade:
- Previous Rate: Before January 2025, personnel received a monthly allowance of ₦45,000.
- Current Rate: Following the arrival of Brigadier General Godwin Nwamba as Brigade Commander, this was increased to ₦60,000 per month.
The military stated that these allowances, funded by the state government, are being paid regularly in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s focus on troop welfare.
Zero tolerance for extortion
The army also “categorically denied” reports of illegal checkpoints or the shaking down of motorists along border routes.
Major Akari emphasized that the 35 Artillery Brigade maintains a zero-tolerance policy for indiscipline. He noted that in compliance with recent directives from Army Headquarters, all “unnecessary” checkpoints have been dismantled to allow for the free flow of traffic, with only authorised security agencies remaining at key border points.
“No credible complaint has been recorded against the troops in this regard,” the statement added.
Collaborative security
The Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and professionalism, pledging to continue working with other security agencies to protect lives and property in Ogun State.
The military has urged the public to disregard the viral video, describing it as an attempt to demoralize troops and mislead the Nigerian public during a critical period for national security.
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