By Nkechi Eze
The Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has dismissed as false and misleading a viral social media video alleging non-payment of allowances to troops and victimization of a soldier within the North-East Theatre of Operations.
According to an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the allegations contained in the video were described as a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and discredit the military command structure.
The Theatre Command clarified that the money referenced in the video was not an operational allowance, stressing that all legitimate allowances due to troops under Operation HADIN KAI have been fully paid up to date as of May 2026, with no outstanding entitlements.
The statement explained that the allowances paid include the Ration Cash Allowance (RCA), which is disbursed to units for centralized feeding of troops, Operational Allowance paid directly into personnel accounts, as well as Habit Allowance also paid directly to troops.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba stated that the issue raised in the viral video related to an additional incentive paid to troops providing security at a critical national asset in Tuba, noting that the payment is only made when funds are available.
He disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) initially handled the responsibility for the allowance, while the Borno State Government maintained a separate payment structure for Police personnel and Volunteer Forces. However, following the cessation of exploration activities by the NNPC, payments to troops stopped.
The statement further noted that the Borno State Government subsequently took over responsibility for the payments and efforts are ongoing to integrate troops into the same payment arrangement currently being implemented for the Police and Volunteer Forces.
According to the Theatre Command, the funds for the supplementary allowance were still being awaited at the time concerns were raised by troops. During an operational visit, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Solomon Diwa, reportedly assured personnel that he would engage relevant authorities to facilitate payment once the funds were released.
The Theatre Command also dismissed allegations that the soldier involved was intimidated or punished, describing the claims as entirely unfounded. It reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare and fair treatment of its personnel.
Preliminary findings, according to the statement, revealed that the viral video was not produced by the soldier but by a “mischievous content creator” allegedly known for publishing materials sourced from disgruntled individuals.
The command described the act as unpatriotic and aimed at tarnishing the image of the Armed Forces, while warning that dissemination of such content violates the Nigerian Armed Forces’ social media policy regulating personnel conduct on digital platforms, especially on operational matters.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba added that measures were already in place to address breaches of the policy in line with existing military regulations. He also stated that the Military High Command had instituted mechanisms to ensure prompt and consistent payment of all legitimate entitlements through close collaboration with relevant stakeholders to improve funding timelines for supplementary allowances.
The Theatre Command urged media organisations and members of the public to refrain from circulating unverified and misleading information capable of undermining troop morale and compromising ongoing national security operations.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace, security, and economic stability across the North-East while maintaining professionalism, discipline, and accountability in all its operations.
