No fewer than 196 soldiers, mostly junior officers from various formations across the country, have tendered their resignation letters to the authorities of the Nigerian Army, Daily Trust reports.
Although the reasons for their decision to resign were yet to be made public, security sources said the soldiers took the decision based on low morale occasioned by hardship in the land.
Consequent to the approval of their letters by the Nigerian Army, the spokesman of the force, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said their discharge from the service was routine, and in line with laid down procedures.
It was gathered that the soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave with effect from November 1, 2024 for the approval of their resignation letters.
A memo dated August 23 and signed by Brig.-Gen. O. H. Musa said the final disengagement of the soldiers will take effect from November 30, 2024.
The memo partly read, “In accordance with the provisions of References A and B, the COAS vide Reference C approved the voluntary discharge of the above-named soldier and 195 others listed in Annex A.
“The soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave with effect from 1 Nov 24 while their disengagement date takes effect from 30 Nov 24.
“Accordingly, I am directed to respectfully request you to cause the affected soldiers’ units to ensure that the discharging soldiers complete the following forms as enclosed and forward the same to this Department no later than 6 Sep 24.”
Commenting further on the development, Nwachukwu explained that the Nigerian Army decided to compile all the names of those who tendered resignation letters and discharge all of them at once because it is not an unorganised force.
“Only in an unorganised army would the discharge of personnel be handled haphazardly; hence, the compilation and release of names routinely, as must have been observed in the case of the Nigerian Army over the years.
“This process allows for personnel who are about to either mandatorily or voluntarily disengage to adequately prepare and process entitlements, emoluments, pensions and gratuity for the period of service to the nation,” the senior military officer said.
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