No fewer than 44 soldiers fighting Boko Haram in Nigeria’s North East have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army, after abandoning the ongoing war against the Boko Haram Terrorists, Sahara Reporters, an online newspaper said.
According to the newspaper, the soldiers were expected to report to the war front, following a signal sent to them, but have failed to report to their bases.
The Army authority has now declared the deserting soldiers wanted after accusing them of Absent Without Leave, AWOL, a serious crime in the military.
The development comes barely few days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Maj General Olufemi Oluyede, acting Chief of Army Staff, COAS.
Gen. Oluyele was appointed following the indisposition of Lt. Gen. Taoheed, the COAS who is currently on a leave absence abroad battling an undisclosed ailment.
The magazine reports that some personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces have been deserting the war against the terrorists, while others have resigned their regiment, citing inadequate weapons and platforms to fight with.
Some angry soldiers have also cited welfare, and alleged compromise on the part of their superiors in prosecuting the war against terrorism as some of the reasons for leaving the force.
Citing a military signal, the online newspaper said the Army authority have vowed to punish the soldiers whenever hey are apprehended.
The Army authorities have also frozen the banks accounts of the affected personnel, the newspaper said.
The signal mandated any soldier with information on the whereabouts of the missing personnel to “intimate NAIC and NACMP to apprehend them if seen and bring them under military escort for disciplinary action.”
SaharaReporters learnt that the affected soldiers were deployed from various units and formations to 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga community, Borno State.
403 AMPH BDE is under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Sector 3, Nigeria.
MNJTF is a combined multinational formation, comprising units, mostly military, from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria and mandated to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.
However, while the wanted soldiers were expected to report at the unit not later than October 31, 2024, they have remained absent a month after without notice.
“Reference A promulgated the posting of the above named SNCO and 42 others from unit indicated against their name at Annex A to this formation. However, Reference B requested for their release to report for military duties to avoid AWOL action against them,” the military signal dated November 1 and signed by Major HO Akoh on behalf of 403 Amphibious Brigade Commander read.
“Furthermore, Reference C as well raised a reminder on the initial request of their release to report not less than 31 Oct 24 and they are still absent. In view of the aforementioned, I am directed to respectfully request you declare them on AWOL WEF 1 NOV 24.
“I am to further add you please cause HQ NAFC to freeze their salary account accordingly while you intimate NAIC and NACMP to apprehend them if seen and bring them under military escort for disciplinary action. Please find at Annex A List of soldiers posted in to 403 Amphibious Brigade (Rear).”
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