‘Report of unpaid soldiers’ salary, false, inciting’

The report about the outcry by some unnamed soldiers over the alleged delay by the Federal Government and the Service Chiefs in the payment of their July salaries in one of the national dailies has been condemned as unfounded and capable of inciting military personnel.

The Rebirth Movement, in a statement in Abuja, described the publication as “unnecessary, diversionary and unpatriotic”.

In the statement jointly signed by Convener, Unity Advocacy Group, Ifeanyi Aigbedion and President, Rebirth Movement, Oladapo Bolaji, “the story said that Abuja-based soldiers on the condition of anonymity said they and their colleagues are unhappy with the Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)-led Government and Service Chiefs for refusing to pay them their July 2022 salaries, especially because they’ve worked extraordinarily since the Kuje prison break and most recent attacks by non-state actors across the country, especially in the capital city, Abuja.

“The story has no substance and capable of inciting personnel at a time their services is urgently needed.

“We wonder what the story is out to serve. In which interest is it? What is the substance? How does it boost troop morale? It is not impossible to experience slight delays in salaries in the face of global economic meltdown.”

The statement commended personnel of the Armed Forces for their numerous sacrifices in the face of the security challenges and urged them not to allow enemies of the country thwart their efforts.

The group urged the media to support the Armed Forces and desist from stories that will lower morale.

“The media should harken to the plea of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor and adopt the German Press Code which says in reporting actual and threatened acts of violence, the press should carefully weigh the public interest in information against the interest of victims and other people involved.

“The CDS when he delivered a lecture at the National Defence College on the topic ‘National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria’, in Abuja, hinted that the military was implementing new strategies to ensure an end to raging insecurity in Nigeria.

“You don’t go to the market and throw stones. No one is exempted from the security challenges, as such all hands should be on deck to defeat the enemies of the country.

“We must support the military to implement their new strategies and not weaken their efforts,” the groups submitted.