EXCLUSIVE!! Why Corruption Reigns In The Nigerian Army -By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu

There is hardly any Nigerian society that has not been attacked by the menace of corruption, even the most sacrosanct places where people gather to worship, the churches and mosques are not left out.

The military establishment which one would have thought because of their discipline would be immune from this madness, is also battling with it.

Severally, the rank and file of the Nigerian Military have expressed their bitterness against bad treatment that is meted to them. The latest to complain are soldiers that are currently battling the Islamist organisation, Boko-Haram in the North-East.

These soldiers complained of staying over 4 years fighting without the concerned authorities changing them and bringing in new and combat-ready men.

We all know that their continued stay in the battlefront can lead to fatigue and depression which can be very dangerous for the prosecution of the war in that region.

They complain of being fed by inadequate food, insufficient arms to confront the Boko Haram members who are heavily fortified with arms. But the real reasons why corruption is rampant in the military is because of greed, nothing else.

The Top Generals who re mandated to see to the welfare of these gallant soldiers are either diverting the funds or are making gains from their continued stay in the region, even after spending up to 4 years fighting for the country.

To stem corruption in the military, a special panel must be set up to specifically perform oversight functions on the funds provided by the government to the military authorities. There should also be a probe to how those funds are being spent to the last naira.

Every Nigerian soldier deserves the best, including access to standard military weapons and equipment to confront the crimes that are currently facing the country and also defend the country’s territorial integrity.

Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu is a content writer and lives in Lagos, he can be followed on twitter @Omotoyorsii1993