‘False alarm’ – Army dismisses report of mutiny

The Army Headquarters has dismissed as a false alarm an online report alleging a planned mutiny by soldiers over poor salaries, allowances and welfare conditions, insisting that the leadership has prioritised the welfare of troops and their families.

Col. Appolonia Anele, Director of Army Public Relations, made this known in a statement titled, “Threats of Mutiny: A False Alarm, Nigerian Army Committed to Troop Welfare, Discipline”.

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to an online publication alleging that soldiers are threatening mutiny over salaries and allowances. We view the report as false, misleading and deliberately sensational, designed to undermine public confidence and national security,” the statement read.

“At no time has there been any threat of mutiny within the Nigerian Army. Mutiny is a grave offence under military law and alien to the ethos, discipline and professionalism of Nigerian Army personnel, who remain loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”

The army said the report relied solely on anonymous and unverifiable claims circulated through non-official channels, adding that such narratives do not represent the views or conduct of its personnel, who are trained to channel grievances through established procedures.

It also explained that promotion increments form only one component of military remuneration and should not be misrepresented as total earnings. According to the statement, military pay includes consolidated salaries, rank-based allowances, operational allowances, field and hardship allowances, and other entitlements that vary with deployment and responsibilities.

The statement added that the Nigerian Army, working with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and relevant government bodies, continues to implement welfare reforms such as periodic salary reviews, improved accommodation, enhanced operational allowances, medical care and insurance packages for troops and their families. Issues relating to allowances are also being reviewed within approved government frameworks.

It stressed that upon assuming office, the Chief of Army Staff initiated engagements with the appropriate authorities on troops’ welfare, saying these efforts were already yielding positive results.

The army highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving the welfare and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces, especially amid evolving security challenges.

It maintained that the Nigerian Army remains disciplined, cohesive and focused on its constitutional mandate, noting that attempts to portray the institution as unstable are irresponsible and harmful to national security. The public was urged to disregard such unfounded claims and rely on official communication channels.

In a related statement on Monday, January 19, the Army’s Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, again described the mutiny report as “false and misleading,” warning that it was capable of undermining public confidence and national security.

She said the online publication was based solely on anonymous and unverifiable claims that did not reflect the conduct or disposition of officers and soldiers.

“At no time has there been any threat of mutiny within the Nigerian Army. Mutiny is a grave offence under military law and alien to the ethos, discipline and professionalism of Nigerian Army personnel, who remain loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” she stated.

She reiterated that military remuneration includes consolidated salaries, rank-based allowances, operational allowances, and field and hardship allowances, and warned against misrepresenting promotion increments as full earnings.

“The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and relevant government authorities, continues to implement structured welfare reforms, including periodic salary reviews, enhanced operational allowances, improved accommodation, medical care, and insurance packages for troops and their families. Issues relating to allowances are continuously reviewed within approved government frameworks,” the statement added.