Nigerian Soldiers Share Photos of Burnt Rice and Inadequate Meals Despite Increased Allowance

Several Nigerian soldiers from the 154 Taskforce Battalion of the Nigerian Army, who are on deployment to combat terrorists in the Northeast region of the country, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the quality of their meals. Despite an increase in the allocated funds for their food allowances, they are receiving inadequately cooked rice.

According to a soldier who is among those impacted, at the Battalion in Ngamdu under the leadership of Lt. Col. A. A. Buba, they are provided with bread and tea for breakfast on Mondays and Thursdays, rice for dinner, and on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, they receive white rice with stew. However, for the rest of the weekdays, they are given what is described as “concussion rice.”

Initial report from troops for inadequate food provision

Before now, there were reports indicating that the General Commanding Officer (GOC) of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army issued a cautionary message, indicating a potential reprimand for commanders and commanding officers responsible for the Operation Hadin Kai Joint Task Force, North East headquarters, and units under the division due to inadequate food provision for the troops deployed both at the frontline and in the various units.

This warning statement was issued in response to reports from troops belonging to the 152 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, who were deployed for Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast region. They expressed concerns about the perceived abuse of authority and infringement upon their rights by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel M. Z. Dikko.

In their appeal for immediate action from the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, Theatre Commander, and the General Commanding Officer of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, the soldiers have expressed their concerns about hunger, emphasizing that they are not receiving adequate sustenance. They have also voiced their discontent regarding the delayed disbursement of their allowances to the Nigerian soldiers.

Furthermore, the soldiers have raised issues concerning the quality and quantity of their meals, stressing that the food they receive is of poor quality and insufficient in quantity.