The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa has come under verbal attacks for mentioning that before recently, Nigerian soldiers have been earning N49,000, adding that they now earn a minimum of monthly salary of N100,000.
The minister said the increase followed a recent review of soldiers’ welfare by the federal government.
Musa disclosed this during an interview on a national television on Wednesday.
Many Nigerians on the social media while reacting to the minister’s statement, described the federal government as insensitive to the welfare of security men especially the military that are facing war against insurgency.
Also reacting to the development in Bayelsa State, some concerned citizens wondered what N49,000 can solve for a soldier and his family.
Mr. Joseph Ogodo has this to say “the defence minister thinks Nigeria will clap for him if he says Soldiers’ Salary has been increased from N49,000 to N100,000 in today’s Nigeria and her harsh economic realities.
“These people are not ashamed. So, our soldiers have been earning N49,000 as monthly salary and they want them to fight insurgency and banditry with their whole heart?,” he questioned.
Also reacting, Mr. Geofrey Ifiemi said “even the so-called 100k that the minister mentioned as new salary for our soldiers, is of no effect.
“With this kind of poor remuneration, how do you expect our security men to give their best in the war against insecurity in Nigeria?
“These are people who stake their lives to fight against sophisticatedly armed terrorists which could result to their deaths any time as it has often happened.”
The former Chief of Defence Staff, however , agreed that the military remained underfunded despite the improvement in personnel welfare.
Responding to a question on whether the current defence budget was adequate, the minister replied, “It’s not enough.”
The minister also advocated the introduction of death penalty for kidnappers, saying stiffer punishment was needed to curb the growing wave of abductions across the country.
