The Nigerian Army will no longer accept lack of interest or low morale as a valid excuse to resign from military service, local media has reported.
In the past, reasons given by soldiers wishing to retire from army life have included loss of interest, low morale, corruption in the service and intimidation by superiors. Some soldiers have pointed out that corruption is so rampant in the army it is hampering the anti-terrorism campaign in north-eastern Nigeria. Corruption was also cited as the underlying reason for lack of interest in military service.
Previously, the media reported that more than 500 soldiers in the north-east of Nigeria wrote to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, wanting to leave the army. Their petition comes at times when the military faces security challenges, fighting terrorists and bandits across the country.
The army responded to the request saying that personnel coming and going as they please "does not augur well" for the military, adding that most soldiers wishing to quit the force offer excuses which are not “cogent enough or professional”.
It is necessary "to ensure that the expertise acquired [by soldiers] is not easily lost by the service and to recoup the investment made [by the army] to the benefit of the nation, while service personnel [quitting] at will does not augur well for the Nigerian Army," the statement read.
According to the statement, as military service in the country is voluntary, there is an opportunity for "any personnel to leave at different times". However, taking into account the resources and efforts which are invested in training staff, their decision to leave is "inimical to the system". Therefore, the reasons for quitting the service must be cogent, legitimate and valid.
“Loss of interest in military service will no longer be tolerated as a basis for discharge. This reason is, to say the least, lame and therefore not accepted. Personnel are expected to explain their reason for lack of interest,” the army stated.