Key Points:
- Soldiers say they get N20,000 from a N100,000 plan. They call it the Scarce Skills Allowance set in 2017.
- One troop says the Air Force now pays N50,000 each. He adds the Army “still pays less” each month.
- The men want EFCC and ICPC to check the funds. They urge the President to order a quick probe.
Nigerian soldiers in the North-East say they get less. They claim a sharp cut in a key monthly pay. SaharaReporters shared the claims with full quotes. The mood in camp, they say, is now very low.
They say the Army pays only N20,000 each month. The sum comes from the N100,000 Scarce Skills Allowance. The Federal Government set this pay in 2017. Troops say the cut breaks the rule.
Soldiers say the policy pays N100,000, but they get N20,000
A soldier spoke and gave clear details of the loss. He said, “The Government set N100,000 per man.” He added, “We only get N20,000 each month.” He also said the Air Force raised theirs to N50,000.
The men link the short pay to old leaders. They name ex-COAS Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in the claims. They say the cut started when he ran the Army. They say it never got fixed after then.
They point to the rule book from 2017. It is the Manual of Financial Administration for the Forces. The book sets N100,000 for all ranks each month. The troops say the Army still breaks this rule now.
More ranks shared what they took home last year. Privates to Corporals got N20,000 each month. Sergeants and Staff Sergeants got N25,000 each. Warrant Officers got N30,000 each month.
They also spoke on kit cash and gear needs. “Uniform and boot cash has not come,” one said. The men want the back pay for those items. They say the debt grows each new month.
Public anger already runs high on other money issues. See our report on the Dangote refinery union clash. Many readers link that mood with this story.
Online anger grows as users call for a probe
Fans on Instagram dropped sharp notes under the post. User rutie_xx said, “Later when youths come out to protest.” “They will be opening tear gas on us.” chinenye_emmaculate wrote, “They still open tear gas on the youth.” She added, “God, this country is finished,” with a cry emoji.
baffups__design wrote, “Government de give them reason to join the masses.” He said the move could push troops to join protests.
theradiantjanet said, “Even inside the peanuts they been paid, they steal from it.” She ended with, “God!” creativeoliver wrote, “Only politicians enjoy all the benefits in Nigeria.” He added, “Some still support and worship them. Very sad.”
The troops now ask for a firm check at once. They call on EFCC to dig into the pay flow. They also want ICPC to test each bank trail. They ask the President to give swift orders today.
The wider debate on public cash keeps trending online. Another hot story is the Taye Currency coronation song backlash. Many say leaders must fix trust to calm the land.
Soldiers say they only want what the rule sets. They want full pay and clean books each month. They also want clear facts shared with all troops. They say truth and fair pay will lift the war fight.
