By Nkechi Eze
The Northern Security Advocacy Group has raised alarm over what it described as a sustained and coordinated campaign of “sponsored attacks” against the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, Air Vice Mikali Mohammed Abdulraheem, warning that such actions risk undermining ongoing reforms within the system.
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Convener of the group, Comrade Jonathan Onoja, said the organisation had, over several weeks, monitored what it termed a deliberate effort to discredit the leadership of the board at a time it is implementing far-reaching reforms.
Onoja told journalists that the group had “credible reasons to believe” that individuals with vested interests, including some within the military retirement hierarchy, were behind the attacks, which he said were intended to distract and derail ongoing institutional improvements.
He stated that since assuming office, AVM Abdulraheem had introduced significant reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and access to pension entitlements for retired military personnel. According to him, these reforms include the introduction of digital application systems, faster processing timelines, and measures to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that had historically delayed payments to veterans.
The group noted that these changes had begun yielding tangible results, with many pensioners reportedly experiencing improved access to their entitlements. Onoja added that some beneficiaries were present at the briefing to attest to the progress recorded under the current leadership.
He stressed that the attacks were not merely targeted at an individual but constituted a broader affront to the dignity of military veterans and the integrity of the pension system. He warned that allowing such campaigns to persist could erode public trust and reverse gains already made.
“We will not allow the sacrifices of our veterans to be politicised or reduced to tools for personal vendettas,” Onoja said, insisting that the reform process must be protected from undue interference.
The group called on those allegedly sponsoring the attacks to immediately cease what it described as “misleading narratives and coordinated misinformation,” urging stakeholders, including security agencies and the media, to disregard what it termed distractions and instead support ongoing reforms within the Military Pensions Board.
During the interactive session, members of the group also dismissed allegations of irregularities such as missing documents and administrative lapses, stating that no such issues had been recorded under the current leadership. They suggested that any concerns of that nature should be directed at previous administrations rather than the incumbent chairman.
Responding to questions on whether the group was acting on behalf of the Military Pensions Board, Onoja denied any form of sponsorship or affiliation, maintaining that the advocacy was driven solely by a commitment to ensuring accurate public narratives and safeguarding reforms that benefit retired service personnel.
He emphasised that the appointment of leadership within military institutions follows established procedures and clarified that there was no dispute regarding the legitimacy of AVM Abdulraheem’s position as chairman.
The group concluded by reaffirming its support for ongoing reforms in the pension system, insisting that the current trajectory must be sustained in the interest of veterans and national stability.
