Over 1,000 soldiers have resigned from the Nigerian Army over the past four years, raising questions about the challenges facing the nation’s military forces.
According to official records, from 2020 to 2024, 1,008 soldiers voluntarily left the Army, a trend that has drawn significant attention.
The most significant year for resignations was 2023, with at least 59 soldiers opting for retirement. In August of this year alone, 196 soldiers took the decision to leave, followed by 261 in 2022, 127 in 2021, and 365 in 2020.
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These figures represent soldiers who had not yet reached the retirement age or completed the mandatory years of service required by the Army.
A disengagement letter signed by Brigadier General O.H. Musa on August 23 indicated that the affected soldiers were directed to proceed on terminal leave from November 1, 2024.
The letter detailed that their official disengagement would take effect by November 30, 2024. While this marks a standard procedure for retiring personnel, it is unusual for such a large number to leave in such a short period.
A closer look at the reasons behind the exodus reveals a mix of medical and personal factors. Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, stated that service in the Nigerian Army is not by conscription and that such resignations are not uncommon.
“Though I do not have the exact details of yearly retirements or discharge of personnel currently, I can say that officers and soldiers are processed for retirement or discharge by time, based on laid-down criteria and provisions of the terms and conditions of service of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Nwachukwu explained.
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He added that some of the soldiers resigned due to medical reasons, while others left for personal matters.
The rising number of resignations is raising concerns about the effectiveness and morale of the military at a time when the country continues to battle insurgencies and criminal elements.
Military analysts have called for an in-depth investigation into the factors contributing to the mass resignations.
