The Nigerian Army has declared 43 soldiers wanted for reportedly abandoning their deployment in Borno State, where they were assigned to combat Boko Haram insurgents.
The soldiers, posted to the 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), were expected to report back by October 31, 2024, but failed to do so, prompting military authorities to take action.
According to Sahara Reporters, the army has taken the step of freezing the bank accounts of the missing soldiers and has informed all army formations across the country to arrest them if they are located.
Military officials have also instructed soldiers who may have information about the whereabouts of the absentees to report to the authorities immediately.
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This move comes as the Nigerian Army grapples with an increasing trend of resignations and desertions, particularly from soldiers deployed in the North-East.
Many soldiers have cited prolonged deployments and declining morale as reasons for leaving, with some even expressing interest in joining foreign military forces such as those in the United Kingdom and Ukraine.
The army, however, maintains that its procedures for voluntary discharge are clear and transparent, with soldiers able to leave service through formal processes.
Despite this, cases of soldiers abandoning their posts continue to highlight ongoing concerns about the conditions on the frontlines.
The 43 soldiers declared wanted are listed by rank and include 10 Staff Sergeants, 21 Sergeants, 12 Corporals, 5 Lance Corporals, and 5 Privates.
The army has called for their immediate arrest and is prepared to pursue legal and disciplinary actions against those who fail to return or who are found to have violated military service regulations.
The names of the soldiers can be found in the full list released by the Nigerian Army.
SSGT (Staff Sergeant)
1. 91NA/32/4669 – SSGT NWACHUKWU CHRISTIAN
2. 93NA/35/1542 – SSGT DAVID OLAYINKA
3. 93NA/35/2265 – SSGT MOHAMMED IDRIS
4. 93NA/35/2369 – SSGT ALABI OLUBAYO
5. 93NA/36/1534 – SSGT DANIEL IKWUNE
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6. 93NA/36/1922 – SSGT JUDE IBE
7. 93NA/37/1136 – SSGT HARUNA ARIYAK
8. 93NA/37/1320 – SSGT ISAH HARUNA
9. 93NA/37/1876 – SSGT NYAWUZOH NEDUM
10. 99NA/48/1375 – SSGT BARO DENNIS
11. 99NA/93/2978 – SSGT ODO CHIJIOKE
SGT (Sergeant)
12. 93NA/35/2842 – SGT UCHENNA NNAMONU
13. 93NA/37/2171 – SGT PATRICK OZOUGWU
14. 95NA/40/2810 – SGT SALEH ADO
15. 96NA/41/2758 – SGT LASISI JIMOH
16. 97NA/44/1368 – SGT ABUBAKAR UMAR
17. 97NA/45/7133 – SGT IKECHUKWU OKORO
18. 0INA/50/836 – SGT KEHINDE OLAWALE
19. 03NA/53/2716 – SGT YAKUBU MUSA
20. 04NA/55/1792 – SGT AKUBO SOLOMON
21. 05NA/56/940 – SGT OGODO EMMANUEL
CPL (Corporal)
22. 97NA/45/6980 – CPL NKWOCHA KIZITO
23. 02NA/51/832 – CPL NWANGWU NDUKWE
24. 02NA/52/5146 – CPL TAJIRI IBRAHIM
25. 09NA/62/0384 – CPL BULAMA MOHAMMED
26. 09NA/62/0393 – CPL ABDUL UMAR
27. 09NA/62/0409 – CPL CHUKWUDI OFOEGBU
28. 09NA/64/4885 – CPL NASIRU ABDULLAHI
29. 09NA/64/4892 – CPL AUTA DANIEL
30. 09NA/64/4826 – CPL GARBA ZAHARADEEN
31. 12NA/68/5903 – CPL ABUBAKAR ABDULLAHI
32. 12NA/68/5981 – CPL MOHAMMED JIBRIL
33. 12NA/68/8452 – CPL BOKI ESAU
LCPL (Lance Corporal)
34. 10NA/65/7170 – LCPL ABUBAKAR BAPPAH
35. 13NA/69/0116 – LCPL OGUNLANA JOSEPH
36. 15NA/74/4820 – LCPL JACOB DANIEL
37. 15NA/74/5356 – LCPL ABDULLAHI ABBA
38. 15NA/74/6056 – LCPL WILLIAM MONDAY
39. 15NA/74/6229 – LCPL MUSA ABUBAKAR
PTE (Private)
40. 19NA/78/0164 – PTE UMAR JA’AFAR
41. 19NA/78/0186 – PTE APOCHI SOLOMON
42. 19NA/78/0299 – PTE BASSEY GODWIN
43. 19NA/78/0440 – PTE OYATOYE HAMMED
