The Nigerian Army has rejected claims made by a dismissed soldier, Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, who is widely known as "Soja Boi." In a statement released on Tuesday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, described Olamilekan's allegations as false and misleading, accusing him of trying to damage troop morale. She stated that Olamilekan was dismissed for repeated serious misconduct, including breaches of the Armed Forces Social Media Policy, and that the process followed military regulations and the Armed Forces Act. Anele clarified that his dismissal had nothing to do with personal opinions.
Colonel Anele also denied reports that soldiers are poorly paid, explaining that the army uses a clear salary structure outlined in the Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. She said personnel receive base pay plus allowances such as uniform, ration cash and operational support, especially for those serving in Operation HADIN KAI in the North East. The army also dismissed claims that soldiers buy their own uniforms and protective gear, insisting that bulletproof vests, helmets and other equipment are provided through official logistics channels. Anele called accusations of unsafe deployments reckless, warning that such claims could harm public trust and troop morale, and urged the public to verify information before sharing it.
Colonel Appolonia Anele's insistence that equipment is centrally issued exposes a gap between official policy and frontline realities. If soldiers are still forced to supplement issued gear, the army's claim of full institutional provision rings hollow for those in harm's way.
