By Bavoriat Clara
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has raised concern over the continued protest by some retired soldiers at the Federal Ministry of Finance, warning that their actions are obstructing the smooth conduct of government business.
The issue formed a major highlight at the Monthly Press Briefing on the Ongoing Military Operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the Month of August 2025, which combined security updates with explanations on veterans’ welfare matters.
Speaking at the briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said the agitation by some discharged soldiers was linked to the implementation of the new national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government on 29 July 2024.
He explained that gratuity and Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) are calculated strictly based on the salary chart applicable at the time of retirement. Personnel who retired between January 1 and July 28, 2024, fall under the Pre-Minimum Wage Chart, while only those who retired from July 29, 2024, onward qualify for the Minimum Wage Chart.
The Director of Budget at Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Halim Adebowale, who provided further clarity from the finance perspective, explained that gratuity and allowances cannot be backdated.
“Every gratuity and Security Debarment Allowance is tied to the chart in force at the exact date of retirement. Those who retired under the Pre-Minimum Wage Chart cannot be migrated to the new wage structure, because their service formally ended before the effective date of the new policy. This is a global standard practice and not peculiar to Nigeria,” he said.
Adebowale assured that the Finance Office remains committed to ensuring fairness and accuracy in payments while engaging relevant stakeholders to address retirees’ concerns through the right channels.
Major General Kangye, however, expressed concern that the veterans’ continuous blockade of the Finance Ministry is disrupting daily government activities. While acknowledging their right to peaceful protest, he advised the aggrieved soldiers to vacate the premises and adopt legitimate means of presenting their grievances.
“The Defence Headquarters acknowledges freedom of legitimate protest, but the veterans are strongly advised to tread with caution and vacate the premises in order to pave way for normal government functions to be seamlessly conducted,” he said.
Turning to military operations, Kangye disclosed that Nigerian troops achieved notable successes in August 2025, eliminating terrorists, rescuing kidnapped victims, and foiling oil theft valued at more than N574.7 million.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted aggressive operations across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, killing terrorists, dismantling their networks, recovering weapons, and rescuing eight kidnapped victims. Thirteen terrorist collaborators, informants, a gunrunner, and a drug peddler were also arrested during the operations.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive actions in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, and Kaduna States. The operations led to the elimination of terrorists, the arrest of 23 suspects, and the rescue of multiple kidnapped victims. Kangye explained that troops specifically neutralized fighters in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs of Zamfara and Isa, Bingi, and Tureta LGAs of Sokoto, while recovering arms and ammunition.
In the North Central, troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE engaged terrorists in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States. Six criminals were arrested, and several kidnapped victims freed during firefights in Mangu, Jos North, Riyom, and Bassa LGAs of Plateau, while nine extremists were apprehended in Benue and Nasarawa States.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered and destroyed dozens of illegal refining sites while foiling oil theft worth over N574.6 million. A total of 619,236 litres of stolen crude oil, 106,147 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 5,785 litres of kerosene were recovered, alongside storage tanks, boats, and crude oil ovens. Seventeen oil thieves were also arrested in Rivers and Delta States, with arms, ammunition, and explosives seized from them.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA maintained an offensive posture in Anambra, Imo, and Abia States, where they discovered and destroyed separatist camps and seized arms, motorcycles, improvised explosive devices, and propaganda materials linked to proscribed groups.
Commending the troops for their resilience, Major General Kangye reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, supporting civil authorities in internal security, and ensuring peace and stability nationwide.
He also reassured veterans that government remains committed to their welfare but underscored the importance of respecting policy guidelines to preserve order and credibility in military administration.
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