A dismissed soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, has challenged the Nigerian Army to publish its payroll amid ongoing controversy over his claims on soldiers’ welfare.
Olamilekan made the demand in a video released Tuesday, shortly after the Army dismissed his earlier allegations as “false and misleading.”
Presenting bank alerts as evidence of his earnings while in service, he claimed he received N112,061.59 as monthly salary, N20,000 as a “grumbling allowance,” and N45,000 as operational allowance for those deployed to active areas like Maiduguri. He also cited a N6,000 security allowance.
According to him, only soldiers on active operations receive certain allowances, while others get just their salary and the N20,000 payment.
“I have been seeing some trends online about the interview I granted, and I noticed that the Nigerian Army has countered it, saying it is false. It is not as if I am trying to damage the image of the Nigerian Army or make it look bad. No. I am simply stating the facts, and I will back them up with evidence.
“This receipt is my salary. The second one is the N20,000 I mentioned. There is another one, the operational allowance. If you are in Maiduguri or deployed there, that is when you receive it. If you are not on operation, you will not be paid that allowance. The one you can see above is N45,000. There is also another one, a cigarette allowance, which is N6,000. Both the operational and cigarette allowances are only paid when you are on operation.
“So, if they say I am lying about the issue of uniforms, if you have a friend or relative in the Army, call them and ask whether I am telling the truth.”
He also alleged that some personnel purchase their own protective gear, including helmets and fragmentation jackets, though he stressed his intention was not to discredit the Army but to present “facts backed by evidence.”
However, the Nigerian Army maintained that his claims are baseless, insisting that uniforms, kits, arms, and protective gear are issued through official channels and that no soldier is deployed without proper equipment.
The Army further stated that personnel receive consolidated salaries alongside allowances paid directly into their accounts, adding that Olamilekan was dismissed over acts of indiscipline, including violations of social media policy and unauthorised media appearances—not because of his claims.