Ogun: Army reacts to viral video on non-payment of allowances, extortion by soldiers

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Nigerian Army has dismissed allegations in a viral video falsely claims that soldiers deployed for Operation Mesa operation in Ogun State are being denied their due allowances and that troops deployed along the border routinely extort motorists as false.

Idereghi Samuel Akari, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, said this in a statement issued on Friday in response to the viral video in which Abdul made various allegations against the Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Godwin Nwamba, the Commanding Officer, 351 Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Matthew and the Brigade Operations Officer, Major Isaac Ezechukwu.

“The allegations contained in the said video are malicious, unfounded and deliberately misleading and are therefore deserving of outright condemnation. The individual behind the video is a known disgruntled retired airman who, even during his service in the Nigerian Air Force, engaged in acts aimed at discrediting senior officers through propaganda and the dissemination of false narratives. His current actions are clearly geared towards attracting undue social media attention and misleading the public,” Akari said in the statement.

Contrary to the claim in the video, Akari clarified that soldiers deployed on company duties are operating under Operation MESA, a multi agency Operation sponsored by the Ogun State government.

He noted that before the assumption of command by Brigadier General Godwin Nwamba in January 2025, personnel deployed under Operation MESA were paid a monthly allowance of ₦45,000. But upon assuming command, the Brigade Commander, in a clear demonstration of concern for troop welfare and in accordance with the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy of Sound Administration ensured the upward review of the allowance to ₦60,000 per soldier monthly.

Akari said the allowance is being paid to the soldiers by the Ogun State government as at when due.

He also dismissed allegation of extortion levelled against soldiers deployed to the border area of Ogun State in the viral video.

“With regard to the allegation of extortion of motorists along border routes, the Brigade categorically states that troops deployed in these areas have never engaged in such illegal or unethical conduct.

“The Nigerian Army maintains zero tolerance for indiscipline and extortion and no credible complaint has been recorded against the troops in this regard. The Brigade complying with Defence and Army Headquarters directive have removed all unnecessary checkpoints along the boarders allowing only relevant security agencies to check content of vehicles commuting the roads.

“Headquarters, 35 Artillery Brigade, remains resolutely committed to professionalism, transparency and the welfare of its personnel.

“The Brigade will continue to collaborate closely with other security agencies and security stakeholders in Ogun State to ensure the effective protection of lives and property, while upholding the highest standards of military ethics and discipline in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.”