Nigerian soldiers, who were deployed on peacekeeping missions in The Gambia, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau, and returned home four months ago, are still owed up to seven months allowances, despite the United Nations already releasing the funds.
An urgent appeal from the soldiers to the Federal Government of Nigeria has exposed staggering arrears.
According to Sahara sources, soldiers deployed to The Gambia were paid 6 months, owed 6 months, those deployed to Sudan were paid 3 months, owed 7 months, those deployed to Guinea-Bissau were paid 3 months and owed 7 months.
“We understand that the United Nations has already made the necessary payments for these soldiers’ entitlements.
However, the Nigerian Government has yet to ensure that the soldiers receive what they are rightfully owed,” a source told Sahara.
“These are men and women who were sent abroad to serve their country and who risked their lives. They deserve to receive their rightful payments without unnecessary delay,” the concerned soldiers appealed.
They warned they would go public if not paid.
When contacted, Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, initially said he was driving and asked for a text. He later responded with a clarification that shifts responsibility to the international bodies.
Uba confirmed Nigerian troops are in all three countries — Sudan is UN-led, while Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are Ecowas-led.
“Funding for the payment of these allowances is the exclusive responsibility of the two international organisations and not Nigeria as a nation. Allowances for personnel are paid to them promptly on receipt from the UN and Ecowas,” Uba said.
He disclosed that Sudan funds have now been received and troops were paid last week, after SaharaReporters inquiry.
“Those who came back from Gambia and Guinea Bissau will be paid on receipt of funds from Ecowas.
The Defence Headquarters DHQ is making efforts to ensure funds are released to us for immediate payment,” he said.
Uba stressed that UN and Ecowas allowances are in addition to normal salaries, and that DHQ places high premium on welfare.
But the soldiers’ accounts contradict the prompt payment claim. They returned four months ago. Their colleagues in Sudan have just been paid after media pressure. Those back from Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are still waiting — six to seven months unpaid — while Ecowas is blamed for delay.
Defence Headquarters says it is now pushing Ecowas to release the funds for immediate payment.
-Sahara Reporters