Some Nigerian soldiers in Maiduguri, Borno state, have accused senior Nigerian army officers, including the theater commander, of refusing to hand them weapons to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

Soldiers who spoke to SaharaReporters lamented the level of corruption in the army as they alleged that the theater commander, Major General Chris Musa, based in Maiduguri, refused to hand over the weapons to the men of the 145 battalion. /5 brigade following the brigade commander’s refusal to give in to certain demands.

One of the military sources said that the federal government has already released weapons for the Nigerian army to help soldiers fight terrorists. He said, however, that corrupt practices among senior military commanders have frustrated efforts.

He said: “The Nigerian army refused to release new weapons to fight Boko Haram just because our commander refused to pay.

“It always annoys me, especially when it comes to corruption in this country. The theater commander at Maiduguri headquarters refused to give locations, including 5 brigades and 145 battalions, of new weapons that were released by the federal government.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, another staff member corroborated saying, “The government has given them the weapons to share in places in Borno to fight the insurgents. The 5th Brigade and the 145th Battalion are part of the military bases on the border between Niger and the Republic of Benin. This is where insurgents usually exit and enter Maiduguri. These places are key points that they are supposed to equip with weapons but because the commander refused to give them money, now they have refused to give him and his men weapons. Let the federal government and the world know what’s going on.

“That’s what’s happening now. The same corruption that prevents them from coming to change the suspended soldiers is what they have taken in the supply of weapons, which is why they are still delaying. It’s just because the commander didn’t give any money. That’s a shame.”

This is just one in a string of incidents in which members of the Nigerian military are openly protesting the lack of arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

SaharaReporters in March 2021 reported how soldiers from an unidentified Operation Lafiya Dole battalion stormed Maimalari barracks, firing sporadically in the air in protest at non-payment of allowances and poor equipment as reasons for their rebellion.

Some of the soldiers who spoke on condition of anonymity recalled how an entire unit that went as reinforcements when Marte was captured perished under the superior firepower of enemy forces.

The media coordinator for the Lafiya Dole operation, Colonel Ado Isa, had also confirmed the incident.

While blaming the protest on the administration/welfare of the soldiers’ minors, he said the issues were quickly resolved.