Improve welfare of soldiers to curb mass resignation, reps tell army

March 02

16:23 2021

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The house of representatives has asked the Nigerian army to improve the welfare of soldiers to curb mass resignation.

The house had in July 2020 directed its committee on the army to investigate reports of resignation of 350 soldiers over the loss of interest.

The soldiers, most of whom are involved in the fight against Boko Haram, had applied to resign from military service.

The resolution of the lower chamber on Tuesday followed the adoption of a report on an investigation carried out on the purported “voluntary resignation of over 360 soldiers”.

Presenting the report, Abdulrazak Namdas, chairman of the committee, said the army should embark on regular orientation of soldiers, both old and new.

“That the Nigerian army should improve on the welfare of its personnel, especially those in battlefields or other combat operations to further make the soldiers more committed to their jobs and to the nation at large”, he said.

“That there should be effective monitoring or follow up in the delivery of the welfare packages in all the army formations to ensure that they reach out to all the beneficiaries (the soldiers) in a fair and equitable manner.

“That the army should continuously embark on an orientation of soldiers, both old and new, about the reality of their jobs and the need to be committed to their country. This will reduce the number of soldiers leaving the army due to loss of interest.