The Nigerian Army has refuted allegations that it diverted the Ration Cash Allowance of troops deployed to secure Chinese nationals working at the Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam Project in Niger State.
Online media platforms recently reported that some troops claimed they had not received their RCA for three months and accused their former General Officer Commanding, Major General Alabi, and Brigadier General Jamiu Jimoh of diverting their allowances.
In response, the Nigerian Army, under the leadership of Major General Faruk Yahaya, investigated these claims and found them to be incorrect. According to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the allowance was paid in tranches, with the last payment made on February 28, 2023. Subsequently, the service paid the affected troops their allowances from March to June.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the morale of its troops and ensuring transparency and accountability in financial matters.
The statement partly read, “However, contrary to the insinuations made in the online report, preliminary investigation reveals that troops deployed at the Chinese Company in Niger state have always been paid in tranches by the NA on receipt of the funds from the institution concerned.
The statement partly read, “However, contrary to the insinuations made in the online report, preliminary investigation reveals that troops deployed at the Chinese Company in Niger state have always been paid in tranches by the NA on receipt of the funds from the institution concerned.
“Accordingly, the last tranche payment of RCA by the affected institution for the troops deployed, elapsed on 28 February 2023. While the next tranche of payment is being processed, Army Headquarters has paid the troops covering the period 1 March 1 to June 30, 2023, in a bid to ameliorate the operating conditions of the troops and keep them at par with deployments elsewhere.
“Additionally, to cushion the effect of the tranche mode of payment, provision was made to feed the troops daily and this has been a routine. The troops’ RCA was therefore not diverted by any of the senior officers named in the publication anyone else, as wrongly portrayed.”
