The Nigerian Army has denied allegations made by a dismissed former soldier, Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, regarding poor welfare, pay, and provision of uniforms and protective gear to personnel. In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, described Olamilekan’s claims as sensationalised and aimed at misleading the public.
“The provision of uniforms, kits, arms, ammunition, and operational gear remains the institutional responsibility of the Nigerian Army through its established logistics and ordnance systems,” the statement read. The Army insisted that no soldier is deployed to any operational theatre without necessary protective equipment, dismissing suggestions that such gear is only issued during ceremonial visits as deliberate falsehoods.
Olamilekan, popularly known as “Soja Boi”, had alleged that soldiers are poorly remunerated and often required to purchase their own uniforms and protective gear. However, the Army clarified that personnel serving in operational theatres receive operational allowances and other mission-specific entitlements to support their welfare and boost operational effectiveness.
The Army also stated that Olamilekan’s dismissal followed due process in line with extant military laws, and was not connected to whistleblowing or political expression, but rather to repeated acts of indiscipline and violations of the Armed Forces Social Media Policy.
