The Nigerian Army has disciplined a soldier deployed under Operation Hadin Kai over what it described as the deliberate spread of misleading information regarding the feeding of troops in the North-East.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Lieutenant Colonel Sanni Uba, said the action followed an internal investigation into a viral social media post alleging poor welfare conditions for soldiers.
According to Uba, the findings of the review showed that the claims were inaccurate and did not reflect the actual feeding arrangements in the theatre of operations.
“The Theatre Command has noted with concern recent social media publications alleging poor feeding of troops,” he said.
“However, a detailed internal review revealed that the images and narratives being circulated are misleading and do not represent the true welfare standards of personnel deployed in the North-East.”
He maintained that soldiers operating under Operation Hadin Kai are provided with meals in line with approved military standards, adding that such provisions are sometimes improved during festive periods.
“Troops are fed according to established guidelines, and these provisions are enhanced during special occasions such as Sallah and Easter to boost morale,” Uba stated.
The Army spokesman also explained that the feeding system is supervised through internal structures designed to ensure accountability and fairness.
“Meal planning and distribution are managed by Food Committees made up of personnel across different ranks and supervised by senior non-commissioned officers. This ensures transparency and effective oversight within available resources,” he said.
Uba disclosed that the investigation uncovered a case of misconduct involving the intentional misrepresentation of issued rations.
“The image shared did not show the complete ration provided to the soldier at the time,” he said. “Appropriate disciplinary measures were therefore taken in line with the Armed Forces Act to maintain discipline and protect the integrity of the institution.”
He reiterated that the welfare of troops remains a priority despite the operational difficulties in the region.
“While the North-East theatre presents logistical and environmental challenges, efforts are ongoing to ensure that personnel are adequately catered for under all conditions,” he added.
The Army also advised its personnel to use internal channels to address grievances rather than resorting to public platforms.
“Troops are encouraged to seek redress through established mechanisms, as actions capable of misrepresenting operational realities can undermine morale and cohesion,” Uba said.
He further urged members of the public to rely on verified information, warning that the spread of unverified claims could negatively impact national security efforts.
