Two individuals who held significant positions of authority within the Nigerian military have faced removal from their roles as a consequence of their engagement in acts of theft.
The decision to dismiss these high-ranking officers was made in response to their actions, reflecting a commitment to upholding integrity and discipline within the military hierarchy.
This course of action underscores the importance placed on maintaining a high standard of conduct and accountability among those entrusted with leadership responsibilities in the Nigerian armed forces.
These officers were part of Senior Course 43 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji.
According to a military source, the dismissed officers, a Major and a Lieutenant Commander, were considered role models by junior officers.
Major I Abdullahi (N/12034) was removed from duty for stealing a mobile phone, while Lieutenant Commander MI Madume (NN/2938) faced dismissal for stealing the sum of N250,000. The official notice, issued in military format, was dated July 3rd, 2021.
Expressing concern, the source remarked, “These are our military leaders dismissed for stealing. It’s disheartening that individuals we look up to as role models are engaged in theft. One of them, a Major, stole a simple phone, while the other, a Lieutenant Commander, took N250,000.”
Additionally, the source disclosed that a Lieutenant Commander’s monthly salary in Nigeria is approximately N230,652, while a Major earns around N300,000.
The significant disparity between their salaries and the amounts stolen raises questions about their motivations.
The Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji is a crucial training facility established to produce highly skilled operational-level military officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Located close to the village of Jaji, about 35 kilometers northeast of Kaduna in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, this college holds a crucial position in influencing the professional standards of military personnel.
The institution plays a pivotal role in molding and guiding the development of the skills and expertise of individuals serving in the military, contributing significantly to the overall preparedness and competence of these personnel.