Ex-Commander Defends Soldiers’ Personal Gear Purchases, Rejects Failure Claims

A retired Major General and former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Henry Ayoola, has dismissed claims that soldiers purchasing personal military gear reflects systemic failure within Nigeria’s armed forces.

Ayoola made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Morning Brief on Channels Television, where he defended the military’s welfare structure amid intensifying public debate over troop equipment.

The controversy followed a viral interview with a dismissed soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, who alleged that personnel often purchase their own uniforms, boots and even bulletproof vests despite earning as little as N51,000 monthly.

The Nigerian Army had earlier rejected the claims, insisting that kitting and provision of protective gear remain institutional responsibilities. It also clarified that Olamilekan’s dismissal in March was due to repeated acts of indiscipline, including breaches of its social media policy, not for speaking out.

Aligning with the Army’s position, Ayoola said it is not unusual for soldiers to supplement their standard kits at their own discretion.

“The idea of a soldier, out of personal choice, spending money to improve their kit beyond the standard issue should not be a big deal,” he said.

He stressed that such actions do not suggest a breakdown in the system.

“It does not mean the system is not working. There is a standard kit that the Armed Forces provide, and that has not changed,” he added.

Ayoola explained that every soldier is entitled to a baseline provision under what he described as a “full-service matching order,” noting that authorities remain responsible for equipping personnel adequately.

“There is a minimum standard of kit that every soldier must be given. It is not true to say that authorities are not kitting soldiers,” he said.

While acknowledging that operational constraints can sometimes affect equipment availability, the retired general maintained that field commanders adapt to such realities.

“When equipment is limited, it is rationalised. There is innovation, and sometimes troops make do with what is available,” he noted.

Beyond the debate over military gear, Ayoola argued that Nigeria’s security crisis is often oversimplified and misunderstood.

“What we are dealing with in Nigeria is not just a security challenge. The adversary has shaped a narrative that we have come to accept without properly interrogating it,” he said.

He described the situation as a deeper political and ideological struggle rather than a purely military problem.

“The real issue is a political power problem. The Nigerian situation is a local manifestation of a global trend, a clash of civilisations,” Ayoola stated.

He further criticised the country’s approach to tackling insecurity, warning that poor problem definition has undermined effective responses.

“You cannot solve a problem you have not defined. What we have been doing is like cutting branches without uprooting the tree,” he said.

On concerns over troop vulnerability, particularly ambushes, Ayoola pointed to the growing deployment of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) technologies in military operations.

“There has been increased use of ISR drones to cover flanks and move ahead of troops, which helps minimise ambushes,” he said.

He warned that failure to clearly identify the nation’s adversaries continues to weaken security efforts.

“If we cannot clearly define who the enemy is and what they want, then we will continue chasing shadows,” he added.