Coalition Backs Service Chiefs, Warns Against Calls for Sack

• The Campaign Against Injustice (CAI) has urged President Tinubu to ignore calls for the removal of service chiefs, warning it could weaken military morale
• The coalition argued that governors and council chairmen with higher allocations must do more to support citizens and complement security operations
• CAI praised Chief of Army Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and President Tinubu for improving soldier welfare while warning against unfair criticism of the armed forces

A civil society organisation, the Campaign Against Injustice (CAI), has called on President Bola Tinubu to ignore mounting demands for the dismissal of service chiefs, warning that such actions could weaken the morale of the Nigerian Army at a critical time.

The appeal followed a recent statement by the Northern Ethnic National Forum, led by Dominic Alancha, which pushed for a shake-up in the military leadership.

CAI maintained that blaming the service chiefs for every security challenge was both unfair and counterproductive.

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Convener of the coalition, Abbey Jolaosho, said the armed forces deserve recognition rather than condemnation. According to him, Nigerian troops make daily sacrifices, with many paying the supreme price in defence of the country’s territorial integrity.

Call for broader accountability

The coalition argued that terrorism and violent extremism are not unique to Nigeria but part of a global crisis.

It noted that the military continues to battle these threats despite years of inadequate equipment, poor remuneration, and systemic failures at state and local government levels.

CAI also cautioned against overlooking the role of political leadership at the subnational level.

It stressed that governors and council chairmen, who now receive significantly higher federal allocations, must contribute to improving living standards and supporting security operations.

“Scrutiny should be directed at state and council officials who now have more than triple allocations to ease the people’s hardships and support the military, instead of transferring anger to the service chiefs who are doing all that is humanly possible to tackle insurgency,” the group said.

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Commendation for military leadership

The coalition praised Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for prioritising troop welfare and strengthening operational effectiveness.

It also lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which reviewed daily allowances for soldiers upward from ₦1,500 and introduced new welfare initiatives for personnel.

CAI further warned that persistent attacks on the military hierarchy could discourage enlistment and even trigger desertions within the ranks.

It described grassroots governance as a vital non-kinetic approach to curbing insecurity, insisting that political leaders at all levels must share responsibility for stabilising the country.

“The military is not solely responsible for addressing the nation’s problems. Without effective governance at the state and local levels, armed rebellion and frustration will persist. Good governance at the grassroots remains the strongest non-kinetic tool against insecurity,” the coalition added

Nigerian Army begins recruitment

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that qualified and suitable Nigerians had been asked to apply for the ongoing recruitment at the Nigerian Army — the DSSC.

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Legit.ng understands that the recruitment opportunity is open to both civilians who have had no previous force experience or training and serving military personnel.

The DSSC will be granted for a total of 15 years, for an initial period of 8 years, renewable yearly for another period of 7 years.

Source: Legit.ng