The Nigerian Army has sanctioned a soldier serving under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East for allegedly disseminating "misleading" information regarding the poor quality of food served to troops on the frontlines.
In a statement released on Saturday, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force North-East, claimed that an internal investigation into a viral social media post showed the soldier’s claims did not reflect the reality of welfare standards in the theatre of operation.
The army's crackdown comes amidst recurring complaints from soldiers in the volatile region who often take to social media — usually anonymously for fear of victimisation — to lament poor rations, unpaid allowances, and dilapidated equipment.
In the statement, Uba explained that the military high command viewed the viral images with concern but dismissed them as a "deliberate misrepresentation" of the facts.
“Following a detailed internal review conducted in line with established procedures, the Theatre Command wishes to categorically state that the images and narratives being circulated are misleading and do not reflect the actual feeding arrangements or welfare standards of troops in the North East Theatre,” the statement read.
The military maintained that the specific image circulated by the sanctioned soldier was a "selective" capture that did not show the full ration issued to the personnel at the time.
According to the statement troops deployed across formations under Operation Hadin Kai are fed in line with approved standards.
“These provisions are consistently implemented and, where operational conditions permit, are further enhanced during special periods such as Sallah and Easter celebrations to boost morale and welfare,” he said.
He added that the feeding system is monitored through structured internal mechanisms.
“It is managed through established Food Committees comprising personnel across various ranks, and presided over by senior non-commissioned officers. This arrangement ensures transparency, participation, and continuous oversight in menu planning, preparation, and distribution of meals, within available logistical resources,” he explained.
Rather than addressing the systemic issues often cited by troops in the North-East, the Army moved swiftly to punish the whistleblower. Uba confirmed that the soldier was dealt with under the Armed Forces Act (Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004).
The statement partly read: “Investigations confirmed that the image did not represent the complete ration issued to the individual at the time.
“Accordingly, the matter was addressed through appropriate disciplinary measures in line with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act (Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004).
“Sanctions were duly applied to the personnel involved, to uphold discipline and preserve the integrity of the Armed Forces,” he said.
The statement added, “While operations in the North East present significant logistical and environmental challenges, consistent efforts are made to ensure that personnel are adequately catered for, even under demanding field conditions.
“Troops are further encouraged to utilise established internal channels for the timely resolution of grievances, rather than resorting to actions capable of misrepresenting operational realities or undermining unit cohesion and morale."
Despite the official denial, the Nigerian Army has a long-standing history of internal friction over troop welfare. In recent years, several videos have emerged showing soldiers in the North-East complaining about being fed watery soup or being left without adequate supplies while battling Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
Lt. Col. Uba, however, urged the public to disregard such reports, labelling them as the handiwork of individuals seeking "attention or financial gain." He claimed that even under "demanding field conditions," the welfare of personnel remains a top priority for the command.