The Nigerian Army has dismissed a viral video alleging that soldiers deployed under Operation MESA in Ogun State were not paid their allowances and were extorting motorists along border routes.
The Army described the claims as false, malicious and misleading.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Idereghi Samuel Akari.
The viral video, allegedly recorded by an individual identified as Abdul, accused the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Godwin Nwamba, the Commanding Officer of the 351 Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Matthew, and the Brigade Operations Officer, Major Isaac Ezechukwu, of wrongdoing.
Reacting, Akari said the allegations were completely unfounded and should be rejected by the public.
“The allegations are baseless and should be condemned in their entirety. The individual behind the video is known for attempting to discredit military leadership through misinformation and is clearly seeking attention and public sympathy through false narratives,” he said.
Akari explained that the person behind the video is a disgruntled retired airman who, according to him, had a history of spreading false information and propaganda against senior officers while in service.
Clarifying the issue of allowances, the Army spokesman stated that troops currently on company duties in Ogun State are deployed under Operation MESA, a joint security operation funded by the Ogun State Government.
He disclosed that before Brigadier General Nwamba took over command in January 2025, soldiers under the operation received a monthly allowance of N45,000.
Akari added that after assuming office, the Brigade Commander approved an increase in the allowance to N60,000 per soldier.
“Following the assumption of command by Brigadier General Nwamba, the allowance was reviewed upward from N45,000 to N60,000 per personnel, in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy on troop welfare and sound administration,” he said.
He stressed that the allowances are paid regularly by the Ogun State Government without delay.
On the allegation of extortion, Akari said there was no record of soldiers extorting motorists along the state’s border corridors.
“There has been no credible report of extortion by our personnel. The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for indiscipline and unethical conduct,” he stated.
He also noted that, in line with directives from Defence and Army Headquarters, all unnecessary checkpoints along border routes have been removed, leaving only authorised security agencies to carry out legitimate vehicle checks.
Akari reaffirmed the commitment of the 35 Artillery Brigade to professionalism, transparency and troop welfare, assuring residents that the Army will continue to work with other security agencies to protect lives and property across Ogun State.
