The Nigerian Army High Command has denied allegations of corruption and the diversion of troops’ Ration Cash Allowance (RCA).

These accusations were reportedly made by soldiers deployed to provide security for Chinese nationals working at the Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam Project in Niger State. In a statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army refuted these claims. The troops alleged that they hadn’t received their RCA for three months, pointing fingers at their former General Officer Commanding, Major General Alabi, and Brigadier General Jamiu Jimoh.

The Nigerian Army’s statement emphasized that the welfare of its troops is a top priority, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. Preliminary investigations revealed that the troops stationed at the Chinese Company in Niger State had been paid in installments by the Nigerian Army, as funds were received from the institution concerned. The last installment of RCA from the institution for these troops ended on February 28, 2023. To alleviate the troops’ conditions and keep them on par with deployments elsewhere, Army Headquarters paid them for the period from March 1 to June 30, 2023, while the next installment was being processed.

To mitigate the effects of installment payments, provisions were made to provide daily meals for the troops, which has become routine. The statement stressed that the Nigerian Army has a zero-tolerance policy for financial misappropriation and strongly opposes actions detrimental to troop morale.