The Defence Headquarters has explained that the recent delay in paying Ration Cash Allowances to soldiers on active duty resulted from temporary financial system issues.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Magnus Kangye, gave the clarification on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja. He said the problem did not originate from field commanders or the military leadership.
According to Kangye, the allowance delays occurred within the transaction system, not through any misconduct by commanding officers. He stressed that commanders could not withhold funds meant for personnel under their care.
“The issue of soldiers’ welfare keeps coming up,” Kangye said. “No commander receives money for his troops and refuses to pay. That would destroy morale and weaken our operations.”
He acknowledged that technical or transaction glitches could occasionally delay payments but assured that soldiers would receive their allowances soon. “A short delay, maybe a day or two, can happen because no system is perfect,” he added.
Kangye compared the situation to everyday banking experiences where fund transfers face network interruptions. He said, “Sometimes, you send money to your family, but the bank delays it. The same applies here. The money always reaches the soldiers.”
He emphasized that such issues should not be seen as intentional attempts to deny troops their allowances or neglect their welfare.
The clarification followed complaints from soldiers deployed in DHQ-led operations such as Operation Fasan Yamma in the North-West and Operation Whirl Stroke in the North-Central. Many claimed they had not received their allowances since August 2025.
Kangye reaffirmed the military’s commitment to timely payments and continuous support for personnel welfare. He said the Defence Headquarters would continue to monitor the process to ensure full transparency and efficiency.
The Ration Cash Allowance helps fund soldiers’ feeding and logistics during field operations. Although similar concerns have surfaced in the past, the DHQ insists that payment integrity remains a top priority.
