MUSA HAILS PAY REVIEW, SAYS SOLDIERS NOW RECEIVE N100,000 MONTHLY

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By; Sunmola Ganiyat

Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has disclosed that Nigerian soldiers now receive a minimum monthly salary of N100,000 following a welfare review implemented by the Federal Government.

Speaking during an interview with News Central on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s NC Exclusive programme, Musa noted that although the government had improved the welfare of military personnel, funding for the armed forces remained inadequate.

According to him, the current defence budget falls short of meeting the military’s operational and welfare needs.

The minister explained that the salary review doubled the earnings of entry-level soldiers, whose monthly pay previously stood at N49,000.

“When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We worked hard to improve it, and now a soldier earns N100,000,” he said.

Musa also called for the introduction of capital punishment for convicted kidnappers, arguing that tougher penalties are necessary to deter the growing menace of abductions across the country.

He maintained that weak laws have emboldened criminals, stressing that severe consequences would discourage such crimes.

Commenting on the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, the minister described the incident as unfortunate and alleged that the kidnappers were attempting to pressure the military into releasing some of their detained leaders.

According to him, the abductors believe holding the children hostage could serve as leverage in negotiating the release of their commanders.

Musa further claimed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the children if security forces intensified efforts to rescue them.

On allegations of poor feeding conditions within the military, the defence minister dismissed the claims as misleading.

He cited the case of a military officer known as Justice Crack, alleging that the officer intentionally removed food items from a meal presentation to create the impression that soldiers were being poorly fed.

Musa insisted that the meals provided to personnel were adequate and included items such as meat, contrary to the narrative being circulated.