Nigerian Military Improved Welfare Packages Excite Soldiers Fighting Boko Haram
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigerian military has approved new welfare packages for its officers and men involved in the counter insurgency war.
This is just as the military high command has adopted measures aimed at countering the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, which have intensified efforts in kidnappings of soldiers and civilians in the North East.
Information pieced together indicate that the renewed strategies by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole is expected to beat the terrorists at their own game and forestall their plans to hurt soldiers in the frontline.
Members of the dreaded Boko Haram had recently kidnapped scores of soldiers, especially those on pass along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.
However, in responding to the growing security challenge, the military has adopted a change of strategy to protect soldiers and their families while on work leave.
Towards this end, the Central Command of Operation Lafiya Dole has activated three-pronged platforms that would be coordinated by some of the senior commanders at the frontline.
Dependable military sources opined that three top senior officers have been selected to work together in countering the threats posed by the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists against military personnel and families while travelling with authorised ‘Pass.’
Similarly, it was gathered the troops on the frontline are in high spirits following the improved welfare packages.
Part of the new welfare measures include the approved cigarette allowance by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai just as soldiers who have also completed the Language Proficiency Course at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) were rewarded with extra N20,000 to their monthly salaries.
A source said; “No one would have believed that soldiers after the completion of the language proficiency course at the NARC that an amount of N20,000 would be added to their salary monthly.”
