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(FACT CHECK): Allegations against two commanding officers misleading — soldiers’ allowances paid, Oando feeds troops but hasn’t remitted RCA

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(FACT CHECK): Allegations against two commanding officers misleading — soldiers’ allowances paid, Oando feeds troops but hasn’t remitted RCA

By: Zagazola Makama

A wave of social-media circulating this week that two commanding officers withheld soldiers’ entitlements and allowed troops to go unpaid is, on close examination, misleading and lacks important context, military sources and documentary material seen by Zagazola show.

This fact-check explains what is true, what is misleading, and what the public needs to know about (a) how soldiers’ entitlements are supposed to work, (b) the role of the private company Oando at some locations, (c) how the units covered pay shortfalls, and (d) the record of infrastructure and welfare projects that earned the officers formal commendations.

Findings by Zagazola Makama revealed that contrary to social media reports, troops deployed in Brass, Obama, and Oando Headquarters are receiving their operational allowances promptly. Investigations also confirmed that soldiers in those locations are fed three times daily by the oil companies hosting them (OANDO), in line with directives from the Army High Command.

Military authorities clarifies that RCA (Ration Cash Allowance): a cash payment to soldiers only when no organised feeding is provided. RCA is intended to allow troops to buy food where there is no centralised or company-provided feeding.

Central feeding / company feeding: where a company (or the unit) provides daily meals (typically three times per day), policy and practice are to stop paying RCA because the ration need is being met centrally. This is consistent with standing practice across deployment theatres.

“Oando, for instance, has not paid RCA for over four months but continues to provide daily meals for all deployed personnel, Zagazola report that the claim has also been confirmed by Oando Authorities. The decision, however, did not go well with the soldiers who feel they are being shortchanged.

Zagazola further findings revealed also that despite Oando’s failure to remit the RCA/related funds to the unit’s account, the unit continued to pay Operation allowances from its own resources so soldiers would not go unpaid.

A senior officer explained: Operational allowance is the entitlement of every soldier on deployment. That has been paid promptly, including the September allowance. The RCA is not applicable because Oando feeds the soldiers directly. This is not peculiar to the Niger Delta; even in the North-East theatre, once central feeding is provided, cash allowance is not given.”he said.

“This clarity is important because some mischievous individuals are trying to mislead the public into believing that allowances were withheld, when in fact the soldiers are well fed and paid all their entitlement,” one officer stressed.

He added that the viral reports alleging non-payment were “a sponsored gimmick designed to discredit the Commanding Officers, destabilize troops’ morale, and open the door for compromise.”

Far from short-changing their men, the Commanding Officers of 5 Battalion and 343 Artillery Regiment have spearheaded unprecedented welfare and infrastructural development in their formations, drawing commendations from both the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Lt Col I.A. Al-Makura, Commanding Officer, 343 Artillery Regiment, Restored electricity to Elele Barracks after almost four years of blackout, boosting morale, comfort, and operational readiness, reconstructed and tastefully furnished the Commanding Officer’s residence at Elele Barracks, build five blocks of classrooms at the NAOWA School, Elele Barracks, improving access to education for soldiers’ children as well as converted old classroom blocks into 20-man, two-bedroom flats, fully equipped with modern amenities to enhance soldiers’ living standards.

Lt Col I.G. Fashona, Commanding Officer, 5 Battalion, Sank solar-powered boreholes within soldiers’ quarters, providing clean water for families, reconstructed the Quarter Guard and RSM’s office at 5 Battalion, renovated several soldiers’ accommodation blocks, easing long-standing challenges of congestion and dilapidation, partnered with 343 Regiment to execute multiple projects within months of assumption of duty.

In a commendation letter, the GOC 6 Division hailed both officers for their “sacrificial leadership, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of troops and their families.” He noted that their efforts “clearly demonstrate a deep understanding of and alignment with the COAS’ Command Philosophy which emphasizes leadership, operational efficiency, and welfare of personnel.”

During a recent visit to the Niger Delta, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Olufemi Oluyede personally commissioned several of the projects executed by the two officers. He lauded them for “proactive leadership, prudent resource management, and dedication to the well-being of troops.”

According to him, their achievements have not only improved soldiers’ welfare but also enhanced the operational readiness of formations tasked with safeguarding vital oil and gas infrastructure.

Insiders say the misinformation campaign is linked to vested interests seeking to disrupt the stability brought about by the leadership of the COs. The officers’ insistence on discipline, transparency, and proper feeding arrangements has been credited with boosting troops’ morale and effectiveness.

The improved operational climate, analysts note, is partly responsible for Nigeria’s recent increase in oil production from 1.3–1.4 million barrels per day to about 1.8 million barrels per day. The fake reports are nothing but a desperate attempt to undermine the progress in the Niger Delta,” another officer added.

(FACT CHECK): Allegations against two commanding officers misleading — soldiers’ allowances paid, Oando feeds troops but hasn’t remitted RCA

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Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file

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Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file

By: Zagazola Makama

The detained leader of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday failed to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu attributed his inability to present his defence to the failure of his former legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Kanu Agabi, to hand over his case file, preventing him from adequately preparing.

The defendant was initially slated to open his defence on Thursday but instead announced the sacking of his legal team and requested a short adjournment until Friday.

On Friday, the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court that the case was scheduled for Kanu to open his defence. When called, Kanu informed the court he could not proceed as those responsible for delivering his case file to the Department of State Services (DSS) facility, where he is being held, had failed to do so.

Kanu prayed for an adjournment until Monday, October 27, to access the case file and familiarise himself with its contents. He further stated he was expecting witnesses from the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and requested an order allowing him to meet with them over the weekend for preparation.

The court granted his request, instructing the DSS to allow Kanu receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday. Justice James Omotosho adjourned the trial till October 27 for Kanu to open his defence, warning that the six days initially granted for his defence, which began on October 23, will not be extended.

Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file

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Farmer injured in herders’ attack in Konduga

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Farmer injured in herders’ attack in Konduga

By: Zagazola Makama

A farmer has been hospitalized after sustaining severe machete wounds in an attack by suspected herders at Jakana Village, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when a group of herders reportedly led their cattle into a beans farm belonging to locals and grazed on the crops.

During an attempt by Mohammad Ali Fantami, 30, of Kadamari Lamboa bush, to drive the cattle away, one of the herders allegedly attacked him with a machete, severing his left hand and inflicting deep cuts on his neck before escaping.

The victim was evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where he is said to be responding to treatment.

Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the perpetrators as investigations continue into the incident.
End

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Troops repel another ISWAP ambush, recover arms, motorcycles in Magumeri

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Troops repel another ISWAP ambush, recover arms, motorcycles in Magumeri

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a series of ambush attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along the Damasak–Gubio road in Magumeri axis of Borno State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the troops, who were on a fighting patrol as part of Operation Desert Sanity IV, came under fire from suspected terrorists on arrival at Binduldul.

Sources stated that the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray. Reinforcements led by the Commanding Officer of the Battalion later exploited the scene, recovering two motorcycles, one AK-47 rifle, five blankets, three praying mats, a spare motorcycle tyre and two gallons of engine oil.

The sources added that one terrorist was neutralised during the encounter.

Furthermore, at about 3:05 p.m. on the same day, while withdrawing from the area, the troops encountered another ambush involving an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack followed by heavy gunfire from ISWAP fighters near Kardio village.

The soldiers successfully repelled the assault, safely detonated another IED along their main supply route, and returned to base without any casualty.

Photographs from the operation indicated successful recovery of items and neutralisation of threats in the area.

Troops repel another ISWAP ambush, recover arms, motorcycles in Magumeri

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