Dismissal of Lance Corporal Olamilekan who appeared on Honest Bunch podcast followed due process – Army

The Nigerian Army has clarified that the dismissal of Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, was due to serious disciplinary breaches and not for expressing opinions about political leadership.In a statement issued by spokesperson Apollonia Anele, the Army said the dismissal followed due process in line with military laws and regulations. Anele explained that Olamilekans actions violated established rules, including the Armed Forces Social Media Policy. She cited offences such as unauthorised media appearances, commercialisation of military identity, partisan content creation, and misuse of military uniform.Olamilekan had previously made claims in an interview alleging poor welfare conditions for soldiers, including assertions that personnel receive no additional benefits beyond basic salary and are required to purchase their own uniforms and protective equipment.The Army strongly refuted these claims, describing them as false, baseless, and clearly intended to misinform and generate unwarranted sympathy.According to Anele, the Nigerian Army operates a structured and transparent remuneration system guided by the Manual of Financial Administration for Armed Forces of Nigeria (MAFA), where salaries are determined by rank and years of service.She added that personnel receive various allowances, including uniform allowances, which are paid directly into their accounts. Soldiers deployed on operations are also entitled to additional benefits such as Ration Cash Allowance, Habit Allowance, and operational allowances.Anele highlighted that troops serving in operational theatres, including Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, receive mission-specific entitlements aimed at supporting their welfare and effectiveness.Addressing claims about equipment, the Army stated that it is responsible for providing uniforms, protective gear, arms, and ammunition through established logistics systems managed by dedicated ordnance units.She noted that while some personnel may choose to supplement issued kits for personal comfort, such actions are voluntary and do not indicate any systemic failure. The Army emphasised that no soldier is deployed without appropriate protective equipment and warned that claims suggesting otherwise are not only false but could undermine public confidence and troop morale.Reaffirming its stance, the Nigerian Army stated its commitment to discipline, accountability, and the welfare of its personnel, urging the public to disregard what it described as misleading allegations.The post Dismissal of Lance Corporal Olamilekan who appeared on Honest Bunch podcast followed due process Army appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.