The Nigerian Army has reacted to the protest by 250 dismissed soldiers at the Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Kaduna, asking to be re-absorbed in service.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, in a statement said the soldiers were those dismissed last week over gross acts of indiscipline, cowardice and absence without leave.
”They were part of the 2,023 dismissed soldiers last year that were earlier reinstated back into the Service by the present Chief of Army Staff”, he noted.
“However, these set of soldiers (the 205) absconded for more than one week when they were told that they were to move to North East on the 6th of January 2016.
”They started coming back when they realised that others were moved to units other than the theatre of operations in the North East.
”Please note that all efforts were made to make all the reinstated soldiers comfortable and integrate them back into the system.
”The protesting soldiers are the few who are recalcitrant to military duties and discipline. They are simply not interested in army job but want to earn salary. No one should listen to them as they are not patriotic at all”, he stated.
Usman added that the Nigerian Army had been tolerant and patient with their acts of indiscipline and unprofessional conduct.
According to him, “Efforts have been made to retrain them, integrate and give them sense of belonging. However the attitude of some of them has left so much to be desired and would not be tolerated any more hence their dismissal from Service.
“The Nigerian Army thrives on discipline, loyalty and good conduct and if anyone could not measure up to expectation or live by those tenets, he would not be allowed to remain in the system.”
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