Enhanced welfare boosting morale of troops in frontline -Findings

The welfare of Nigerian troops in various theatres of operation across the country has improved significantly in recent times, finding by our correspondent reveals.

The findings revealed that increase allowances, better feeding arrangements and a more structured rotation policy is fostering growing satisfaction among troops in the frontline and boosting their morale to combat insurgency, and other security threats.

Some soldiers, who spoke with NAN on the condition of anonymity, acknowledged noticeable improvements in their welfare packages particularly in the area of operational allowances and feeding.

They disclosed that frontline troops now receive operational allowances of up to N60,000 monthly, a marked increase from the N20,000 previously paid.

They also disclosed that their ration allowance funds provided for daily feeding, had been doubled, and that it has contributed to better nutrition and overall well-being in the field.

”The difference is clear. What we receive now is better than what it used to be. It may not be perfect, but there is improvement,” one of the soldiers said.

Corroborating this, some officers who declined to disclose exact figures confirmed that welfare provisions for troops had been substantially enhanced in recent times.

One senior officer noted that operational allowances were now paid uniformly to personnel deployed in combat zones regardless of rank.

According to him, this is a shift from previous practices.

He added that although the allowance used to be around N45,000, it had since been reviewed upward in line with ongoing reforms aimed at improving troops’ welfare.

On the issue of prompt payment, sources indicated that while delays were previously a concern, there had been a more consistent and timely disbursement of allowances in recent months.

”There is better coordination now. Payments come more regularly than before,” another source said.

Beyond financial incentives, NAN gathered that the Nigerian Army had strengthened its troop rotation policy to reduce fatigue and maintain operational effectiveness.

Personnel interviewed said the current guideline allows a soldier to spend a maximum of three years in a frontline theatre before being rotated out, though many are redeployed earlier depending on operational requirements.

”No one is expected to stay beyond three years. In most cases, it is even less,” a respondent explained.

Another officer said that the introduction of welfare flights by the Chief of Army Staff in 2023 had eased the movement of troops completing their tours, ensuring safer and faster redeployment to their home bases.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt -Gen. Waidi Shaibu, had ensured that troops’ welfare remained paramount in the operational areas.

Anele said the army had put in place several welfare initiatives to boost troops’ morale and enhance their operational readiness and commitment such as enhanced allowances and welfare flight.

Our correspondent recalls that in recent operations around Mallam Fantori and adjoining communities in Borno, troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled terrorist attacks and carried out counter-offensives that neutralised several insurgents, disrupted their logistics and rescued kidnapped victims.

The Media Information Officer for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said the success underscored the growing effectiveness of troops driven by better coordination and sustained offensive actions.

On inter-service collaboration, the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, had emphasised the importance of a unified and coherent doctrinal framework in addressing the country’s complex security challenges.

While declaring open the Chief of Defence Staff inaugural lecture for the newly established Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, Musa noted that the nation’s security environment was complex and evolving.

He said the establishment of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre reflected the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening national defence architecture through doctrine-driven operations.

According to him, the centre is enhancing interoperability among the services and providing a common operational framework for addressing evolving security threats.

”The level of cooperation is much better now. The services work closely, share intelligence and plan together,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that Nigerian troops are currently engaged in multiple operations, including counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East, anti-banditry campaigns in the North-West and internal security operations in other parts of the country.

For many of the soldiers on the frontline, the improvements in welfare, though gradual, are seen as a positive step in the right direction as they continue to confront evolving security challenges.