DEFENCE
Military Debunks Poor Feeding Claims in North-east
The Theatre Command North East Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, has described the poor feeding of troops in operational theatres as misleading.
The theatre command was reacting to claims on some social media platforms alleging incidents of poor feeding to the troops in the Frontline within the command’s area of operation.
The theatre commander insisted that the welfare of soldiers remains central to ongoing counter-insurgency operations and is strictly monitored under a structured accountability system.
Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Command of the Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, made this known during a media engagement with journalists in Maiduguri.
Abdulsalam said that the claims being circulated online did not reflect the reality on the ground.
He said that the troop feeding arrangements were designed, supervised, and routinely reviewed by soldiers themselves through established food committees.
The theatre commander stated that every operational location had a dedicated food committee made up largely of non-commissioned officers, who were responsible for assessing rations, monitoring supply chains, and ensuring that meals met agreed standards.
According to him, commanders are not in charge of deciding food preferences but are responsible for providing resources allocated by the government for troop sustenance.
“The responsibility of the commander is to provide the resources as given by the government to ensure meals,” he said.
Abdulsalam added that soldiers themselves participate actively in monitoring the system.
“Every location has a food committee. That food committee is made up of mostly non-commissioned personnel. They know the menu of what they want to eat.
“For someone to have been given his meal with soft drinks, he consumed the soft drinks, took out the protein of the food, took out half of your meal, and now made a video. That was a mischief.”
The theatre commander stated that periodic evaluations were carried out monthly, where food committees inspect supplies, review meal quality, and submit feedback supported by documentation, including photographs and reports from troops across locations.
He said contrary to online claims, troops routinely receive complete meal packages, including protein, beverages, and field rations, depending on operational conditions.
“Every month, the food committee goes around to assess the state of food.
“They take pictures, videos, even based on those videos and pictures from members of the operational personnel,” he said.
Abdulsalam said that in many locations, troops received full meal provisions, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, water packs, and take-out rations during field operations.
“Even when they go on patrol, they have their cold trip, they have their lunch, they have their water meal pack, they have their takeout. This is what is obtainable across most of our locations,” he said.
The theatre commander acknowledged that isolated lapses may occur, adding that such cases were not tolerated under the current leadership structure.
“There are instances where commanders have been found wanting, and they know the stance of the Chief of Army Staff. Where that happens, you lose your command,” he said.
Abdulsalam quoted the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, as saying a strict welfare-driven doctrine under the “Soldier First” philosophy.
“You cannot take care of the soldiers, the Chief of Army Staff has directed that the commander must lose command. Every commanding officer in the field knows that the Chief of Army Staff does not joke with the welfare of our soldiers,” he said.
He added that the directive was widely understood across formations and had become a guiding principle for all commanders deployed in operational theatres.
Abdulsalam stated that the reforms have been introduced to improve troop welfare, including an upward review of allowances from N20,000 to N50,000 for personnel ranging from privates to warrant officers.
The theatre commander said the reforms were aimed at improving morale, strengthening operational efficiency, and recognising the sacrifices of troops engaged in counter-insurgency operations.
Abdulsalam also said that troops were being prioritised for foreign training and peacekeeping deployments, with three batches currently being prepared for international assignments.
In addition, he said welfare flight operations have been sustained to ease troop rotation, reduce travel risks, and allow personnel to spend more time with their families.
The theatre commander stated that quick intervention funds have been made available to commanders in the field to address urgent equipment repairs and logistics needs.
On feeding arrangements, Abdulsalam said the introduction of structured food committees has significantly improved transparency and accountability.
“The idea is simple, let the soldiers decide what they eat. This has brought transparency and accountability into the system and has significantly reduced complaints about feeding,” he said.
He cited Biu Local Government Area of Borno as an example where the welfare system was functioning effectively, with troops actively managing food committees and ensuring steady supply and quality control of rations.
According to him, soldiers in such locations have continued to demonstrate high morale and operational resilience despite ongoing security challenges.
The theatre commander urged members of the public to verify information from official sources, warning that false narratives could undermine ongoing security operations and the morale of troops in the field.
Abubakar reaffirmed that troop welfare remains a top priority under the current leadership, alongside sustained efforts to enhance operational effectiveness across all theatres of engagement.
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it has arrested two suspected vandals along the Calabar – Itu highway.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Timfom John, disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said the suspected vandals were involved in looting and theft of items from an accidented truck along the Calabar–Itu highway.
She said that on Sunday at about 22; 00hrs, operatives of the command received credible intelligence through a tricycle operator regarding the activities of the criminal elements, who were vandalising a truck.
The PPRO said the police operatives mobilised to the scene and successfully arrested one suspect in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres.
John said further investigation led to the arrest of the tricycle operator, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.
‘’The suspects are currently in Police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices connected to the criminal act,” she said.
She quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, as warning criminal elements to desist from exploiting accident scenes for acts of vandalism, looting, and theft.
Azare also said that the command would continue to strengthen surveillance and deploy intelligence-driven policing strategies to safeguard lives and property across the state.
”The command appreciates members of the public, who continue to provide timely and credible information to the police.
”We also encourage residents to remain law-abiding and security conscious at all times,” he said.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has advised motorists to adopt stricter safety checks and defensive driving practices as the rainy season sets in across parts of the country.
The corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Osondu Ohaeri, gave the advice in an interview on Monday in Abuja.
Ohaeri described the rainy season as a period that required heightened caution from all road users, and urged vehicle owners to prioritised routine pre-trip inspections to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy
”Before you leave your house in the morning, carry out what we call a regular morning vehicle check.
Ensure the tyres are in good condition and roadworthy,” he said.The CPEO emphasised that tyres remained a critical safety component, noting that any defect could compromise vehicle stability and endanger passengers.
He urged motorists to also pay attention to other key components such as brakes, headlamps, rear lights and windscreen wipers, especially during night travel and rainfall.
”Beyond tyres, ensure the brakes, headlamps, rear lights and wipers are functional, particularly for night driving in the rain.
“Poor visibility and wet road surfaces significantly increase the risk of crashes during the rainy season, making safety checks and driver alertness essential,” he said.
Ohaeri further advised motorists to maintain strict discipline on the road and apply defensive driving techniques, particularly at bends, junctions and busy corridors.
According to him, safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers must be conscious of other road users and apply defensive driving at all times.
He also urged drivers to maintain full concentration while driving under wet weather conditions, stressing that distractions and negligence often led to avoidable crashes.
”This period, safety consciousness and absolute concentration are very important before you even leave your home.
”Proper vehicle maintenance and responsible driving behaviour remain key to ensuring safe journeys throughout the rainy season and beyond,” he emphasised.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State, on Monday, paraded four foreign nationals, arrested in connection with alleged human trafficking and internet fraud.
The four suspects comprise three Togolese and a Beninoise.
Briefing journalists on Monday at the NSCDC, Badagry Division Headquarters, Ibereko, the Commandant, Adedotun Kenshinro, said that investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly defrauded 17 victims already.
Kenshinro, represented by the command’s spokesperson, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, said “last Thursday, based on credible intelligence, operatives of Badagry Division arrested illegal immigrants who specialise in luring unsuspecting victims into the country and into fraudulent activities.
“Each victim is lured through the social media space and asked to pay 650,000 CFA about N 1,650,000 for registering into their nefarious camps where they train them on what is expected of them.
“If the victims refuse to cooperate with them, they will seize their phones and restrict their movements until they have a change of mind,” he said.
The commandant said that the suspects attempted to bribe operatives of the Badagry division with 130,000 CFAs, to sweep the matter under the carpet and compromise their investigation.
“This is another milestone achievement of the NSCDC state command, coming especially from Badagry Division, and will continue to effectively perform our duties.
“However, we want to say unequivocally, that all forms of inducement under any guise to compromise our collective and sworn oath to the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be suppressed.
“We will not relent on our oath to continue to name and to shame those who do not want the progress of others in our collective society,” he said.
Keshinro commended the Badagry Division Commandant, CSC Gbenga Ekunola, for the suspects’ arrest.
“We will not relent on our oath to continue to name and to shame those who do not want the progress of others in our collective society,” he said.
The commandant said that the suspects have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further processing and action.
He advised citizens to be wary of Get-Rich-Quick schemes, stressing that desperate people to get rich, without putting in the work, fall prey to such fraudsters.
One of the victims, Atokari Iderim, 28, from Central Africa Republic, appealed to the Nigerian government to send them back home since they were not perpetrators of the crime but victims of the process.
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