The Nigerian Army has rejected claims circulating in a viral video alleging that troops deployed under Operation MESA in Ogun State were denied their entitlements and that soldiers stationed along border corridors extort motorists.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Idereghi Samuel Akari, who described the allegations as false, malicious and deliberately misleading.
The video, reportedly made 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.
Akari dismissed the claims, stating that the author of the video is a disgruntled retired airman with a history of spreading propaganda and falsehoods against senior military officers during his time in service.
“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,” the statement read.
Clarifying the situation, Akari explained that soldiers currently on company duties are operating under Operation MESA, a multi-agency security initiative funded by the Ogun State Government.
He disclosed that before Brigadier General Nwamba assumed command in January 2025, personnel deployed under the operation received a monthly allowance of N45,000.
However, following his assumption of office, the Brigade Commander approved an increase in the allowance to N60,000 per soldier, in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy on troop welfare and sound administration.
According to him, the allowances are paid regularly by the Ogun State Government without delay.
The Army spokesman also refuted claims that troops deployed along the Ogun State border engage in extortion, stressing that no such incidents have been recorded.
“There has been no credible report of extortion by our personnel. The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for indiscipline and unethical conduct,” Akari stated.
He added that in compliance with directives from Defence and Army Headquarters, all unnecessary checkpoints along border routes have been dismantled, leaving only authorised security agencies to conduct vehicle checks.
Akari reaffirmed the commitment of the 35 Artillery Brigade to professionalism, transparency and the welfare of its personnel, assuring that the Brigade will continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to safeguard lives and property across Ogun State while upholding the highest standards of military discipline.
