OPHK Debunks Viral Video, Clarifies Allowances, Reaffirms Commitment to Troop Welfare in N’East
OPHK Debunks Viral Video, Clarifies Allowances, Reaffirms Commitment to Troop Welfare in N’East
The Headquarters, Theatre Command of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has dismissed a viral social media video alleging non-payment of troops’ allowances and claims of victimisation of a soldier, describing the content as misleading and deliberately crafted to distort facts and undermine the Armed Forces.
In a statement, the Theatre Command said the claims circulating online were false and did not reflect the actual welfare and financial arrangements in place for personnel deployed under the operation.
It clarified that all legitimate allowances due to troops under Operation Hadin Kai had been paid up to date as of May 2026, with no outstanding arrears. These, according to the Command, include the Ration Cash Allowance (RCA) for unit-level feeding, Operational Allowance paid directly into individual accounts, and Habit Allowance also disbursed to personnel accounts.
The Command further explained that the issue referenced in the video relates to an additional incentive provided for troops deployed to secure a critical national asset in Tuba, which is separate from standard operational entitlements and is released only when funds are available.
It noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) initially funded the allowance, while the Borno State Government also maintained a separate arrangement covering personnel such as Police and Civilian Joint Task Force members. However, following the cessation of NNPC exploration activities, funding for the incentive was discontinued.
According to the statement, the Borno State Government later assumed responsibility for the payment, with ongoing efforts to harmonise the arrangement for all affected security personnel, including integration into the existing payment framework for Police and volunteer forces. It added that at the time of the complaint, funds for the supplementary allowance were still pending disbursement.
The Theatre Command also dismissed allegations that the concerned soldier was intimidated or subjected to disciplinary action, describing the claim as entirely unfounded.
It stated that preliminary findings indicated the video did not originate from the soldier involved but from a content creator allegedly known for circulating materials sourced from a small number of disgruntled individuals.
The Command described the act as unpatriotic and aimed at damaging the reputation of the military, warning that such conduct undermines ongoing security operations in the North-East.
It further stressed that the dissemination of unverified or misleading information violates the Armed Forces’ social media policy, which regulates the online conduct of personnel, particularly on operational matters. It added that appropriate disciplinary and regulatory measures are in place to address any breaches.
Reaffirming its commitment to troop welfare, the Command said the Military High Command has strengthened mechanisms to ensure timely payment of legitimate entitlements and is working closely with relevant stakeholders to improve funding processes for supplementary allowances.
It urged media organisations and members of the public to verify information before dissemination, warning that misinformation could erode troop morale and undermine national security efforts.
Operation Hadin Kai reiterated its resolve to restore peace and stability in the North-East, while maintaining discipline, professionalism, and accountability in the conduct of military operations.
By TimesNG