By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian Army has rejected social media claims accusing the 90 Amphibious Battalion in Koko, Delta State, of internal power struggles, welfare abuse and financial diversion. The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Division, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, described the allegations as malicious fabrications aimed at damaging the battalion’s image.
He said the publication circulating online wrongly suggested that the Commanding Officer, Lt Col M.M. Garba, withheld allowances from Chevron, Seplat, and other oil companies that pay for security services. Anonymous soldiers had claimed that companies remit as much as ₦350,000 to ₦400,000 per soldier monthly, but personnel reportedly receive only ₦40,000.
They also alleged poor feeding, extended duty rotations, and religious bias in deployments. One soldier claimed that raw rations barely last a week, forcing troops to use personal funds for meals.
6 Division dismissed the accusations as false. It explained that deployments across the Nigerian Army follow established procedures and do not consider religion or personal loyalty. The Division said the claims were an attempt to defame the battalion’s leadership.
It added that the Army maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance on extortion, welfare abuse and discriminatory postings. Lt Col Garba, it was noted, has been performing his duties professionally within available resources.
The Army also reminded troops that formal channels exist for lodging grievances at every level. It warned that personnel who bypass these structures to make public accusations undermine the institution.
The Division urged the public to ignore the allegations but assured that any credible report of misconduct, including extortion, would be investigated thoroughly. It restated its commitment to safeguarding communities in the Niger Delta.
