Out of the 49 years of the nation's existence, the NA has taken a large chunk of about 31 years. The first, second and third Republics failed essentially due to corruption from our political gladiators and the military insatiable appetite for greed and power. More often than not, the military establishment has always capitalized on the ills that beleaguered the civilian administrations and swung the pendulum of the political economy to its advantage.

This trend has been established since 1985 when the then maximum ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida entrenched corruption and reinforced a huge rent-seeking and patronage network. Analysts believe that corruption in the NA was worsened by sharp practices such as over inflation of contract values, diversion of pension funds, drug trafficking, intimidation of contractors, withholding allowances and sundry other vices. Senior Officers heading the financial branch of their arm of the armed forces usually become instant billionaires on retirement. Successive Chief of Army Finance, Chief of Air Finance or Chief of Naval Finance respectively never retire from the service without billions of Naira in their accounts or stashed somewhere.On Friday the 4th of July, 2008, soldiers that converged from all over Nigeria held Akure town to ransom; the city stood at a standstill, the city got frozen. The soldiers that went on peacekeeping missions abroad became peace disturbers at home. the “wipers of other people's tears” started “shedding basins of tears”. Army peacekeepers drawn from across the country to participate in the operations protested the non-payment of their allowances. Authentic sources claimed that instead of the $1,228 that the global body approved for them on monthly basis, authorities of the Nigerian Army were short changing them by paying them only $3,000 for the six-month period.

They claimed that since they returned to Nigeria on April 23 2008 from the operation, which they started on September 12 since 2007, life had been difficult for them because they were not paid their allowances.The atmosphere at the Owena Barracks of the 323 Artillery Regiment of the Nigerian Army in Akure, Ondo State was a rancorous and mutinous one. Hundreds of soldiers went on violent demonstration over the alleged military authorities' cut of the United Nations (UN) allowances for their peacekeeping operations in the former war-torn Liberia. The protest of the soldiers confirms a well tested Igbo proverb that “Cheating brings nightmare to the victim”. Even Thomas Paine said many years ago that “When all other rights are taken away, the right of rebellion is made perfect”IBB is believed to have guzzled over $12 Billion Naira windfall during the American invasion of Iraq. From awesome Abacha loot to other Abdulsalam profligacy, from the Niger Dock scandal under Ozobia-led management to the controversy surrounding the removal of Auditor-General of the Federation, virtually all government agencies ranging from federal ministries to the National, State and even at the local government levels, have recorded one case of corruption or another.

Corruption has also emasculated the potency of the military. Until the Niger Delta insurgency, the Nigerian Airforce can only boost of about two battle ready MIG Fighters and few helicopters, the other day; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike, was disclosed to the Senate Armed Forces Committee the pathetic story that the Nigerian Air Force has no fighter jets, the Navy on its own cannot boost of any class A warship except N.N.S Aradu that should have been disengaged from the service as most of its gunnery cannot even function again, the Navy has no single submarine in this 21 st century while Libya can boost of about three. The implication is that the Army has only obsolete arsenals. As the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) begins the probe of allegations of corruption in the PTDF, the Campaign for Accountable Governance through Elections (CAGE) has asked the Committee to uphold transparency, accountability and fairness in undertaking this important constitutional task. The Senate Committee was established following reports that out of about $700 million realized during the 2002/2003 bidding rounds only about $145 is known to have been transferred to the PTDF account. Cases like this are legion.

In January, 2008, the Chief of Army Staff, Ministry of Defence, acting for and on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria awarded contracts to Esquire Ventures Ltd; Profitel Ltd, Century Communications Ltd and Jonny-Way Investments Ltd ) for the supply of various specialist Military items to be used by the Nigeria's United Nations-backed Troops deployed to Darfur and Sudan for the total sum of One Billion, Two Hundred Million Naira. The man at the centre of the shaddy deals is Lt. Gen. AB Danbazau.

Our investigations revealed that between January and August 2008, these companies supplied these items to the Nigerian Army worth N660,000,000 (Six Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) because of the note of urgency expressed by the NA and the assurance that the mobilization fee was being processes in line with Due Process, mobilization fees as provided by the said contract. Of the total sum, only N175,000,000 was paid by the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Lukas Yusuf shortly before he was retired. The outstanding balance stood at N476,000,000 unpaid. The total cost of the items when fully supplied was N476,448,000 while the cost of items produced and ready for shipment is N530,700,000.Further investigations revealed that when Lt. Gen Dambazau took over as the new Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army was paid millions of dollars from the United Nations in respect of these military items to be used by the Nigerian peace keeping troops in Darfur, Sudan. There seems to be a clear case of diversion of a huge chunk of the money. Rather than pay the contractors the Chief of Army Staff, instructed that the money be deposited in special accounts and used for other purposes at the expense of the contractors and the welfare of the Nigerian troops in Dafur. Following mounting pressures from the contractors, Gen. Dambazau set up two committees, one of which was headed by Major-General Azurunwa, to verify all contracts awarded by his predecessor.

The Major-General Azurunwa committee after visiting all the depots where the supplies were made, and checking out all documentations from both the contractors and the supply depots, came out with a report which certified that the contracts were duly executed and should therefore be paid by the army authorities. After the report of the Azurunwa Committee over two months ago, the Chief of army staff mandated Major-General U T Usman and Major-General Charles to negotiate with the contractors to give the army some discounts on the outstanding debts and also to agree for the debts to be paid in two installments. Since then, the contractors claim, nothing else has been heard from the army authorities. Sources revealed that these companies have made several demands on the Chief of Army Staff to pay for the Military items already supplied and honour the terms of the contracts but to no avail. Meanwhile, the money used for the execution of the contracts being borrowed funds from the banks continues to yield huge default interest rate of 30% against the companies. Subsequently, the banks threatened to foreclose on the companies' collaterals for failure to pay back the loans.

However, the companies have stopped further supply of these items to the soldiers in Darfur and Sudan as a result of this ugly incident. Having exhausted all amicable means of urging the Chief of Army Staff to pay the outstanding sum and honour the agreement have briefed Festus Keyamo Chambers to give a formal notice of the reference of the matter to the Arbitration court and the appointment of J.B Daudu (SAN) as their arbitrator. The contractors' claims against the Federal Government before the arbitration panel are as follows: (a) The sum of N476,448,000 being the contractual price of the good supplied to the Nigerian Army with 21% interest per annum from August 2008 till judgment is entered and 60% interest on the judgment sum until it is liquidated. (b) The sum of N100,000,000.00 as general damages for breach of contract. (c) The sum of N530,700,000 being the purchase price of the remaining items for which our clients have already committed part payment to the manufacturers, production of which is ready for shipment. Or alternatively, the sum of £358,000 paid as deposit by our clients to the manufacturers in respect of the remaining items with 21% interest per annum from February, 2008 till judgment is entered and 60% interest until the judgment sum is liquidated.

The Chief of Army Staff and the Federal Government are expected to forward the name of their Arbitrator within 15 days of their receipt of the notice. In the court of law, facts are sacred and the military establishment cannot twist these facts to serve its own megalomania. It is also wrong for the military to intimidationcivilians especially contractors. The solution is to pay for genuinely executed contractors. The likes of Lt.General Dambazu should learn from past military dictators like Gen. Sani Abacha that power is transient.
source: http://www.modernghana.com/news/259133/1/nigerian-army-in-the-shadow-of-corruption.html
Posted 1st November 2011 by Nigerian Army: In the Shadow of Corruption

When Islamist militants raided the northeastern Nigerian village of Izghe, killing 90 people, some government troops dropped their weapons, stripped off their uniforms and fled in civilian clothes, according to two soldiers who were at the scene.

The soldiers said the troops were angry their monthly pay had been cut in half to 15,000 naira ($92) without explanation, heightening their belief that money meant for them and their front-line fight against the Islamist militant group Boko Haram was being siphoned off by officials in Abuja, the capital.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-15/nigerian-troops-say-corruption-saps-will-to-confront-islamists.html

agaugust:

No, we fought Boko infantry mixed with civilians inside a town.

Let me see SANDF fight Seleka rebels mixed with civilians inside Soweto township so you can use G-6 Artillery guns to show your power inside Soweto towns with thousands of civilains
.

You do know the heaviest fighting in CAR took place inside Bangue, some time ago I posted a link to a power point prestastion that showed the locations of the fir fights.

Soweto civlians would probably kill the BH fighters long before the army is called up. 2 million+ legal firearms in SA.

agaugust:

No, we fought Boko infantry mixed with civilians inside a town.

Let me see SANDF fight Seleka rebels mixed with civilians inside Soweto township so you can use G-6 Artillery guns to show your power inside Soweto towns with thousands of civilains
.

South Africa has the artillery and artillery engagement system in sub-saharan Africa. Including heavy mortars.

Thiza: When Islamist militants raided the northeastern Nigerian village of Izghe, killing 90 people, some government troops dropped their weapons, stripped off their uniforms and fled in civilian clothes, according to two soldiers who were at the scene.

The soldiers said the troops were angry their monthly pay had been cut in half to 15,000 naira ($92) without explanation, heightening their belief that money meant for them and their front-line fight against the Islamist militant group Boko Haram was being siphoned off by officials in Abuja, the capital.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-15/nigerian-troops-say-corruption-saps-will-to-confront-islamists.html

That's like R1000. SA soldiers on deployment make that like within a week or two,through allowances.

MikeZA: That's like R1000. SA soldiers on deployment make that like within a week or two,through allowances.

About that in a week. feel sorry for them.

[quote author=agaugust]

No, we fight Boko infantry mixed with civilians inside towns.

Let me see SANDF fight Seleka rebels mixed with civilians inside Soweto township so you can use G-6 Artillery guns and Olifant tanks o show your power inside Soweto, that SANDF artillery commander will be murdered by those who killed Lucky Dube
.

agaugust:

No, we fought Boko infantry mixed with civilians inside a town.

Let me see SANDF fight Seleka rebels mixed with civilians inside Soweto township so you can use G-6 Artillery guns to show your power inside Soweto towns with thousands of civilains
.

There were no civilians in Damboa. You failed to recover the town the normal way and each time you tried it you failed because BH repealed your attempts. Your military instead resorted to heavy air strikes which were unnecessary especially where buildings are involved.

[quote author=agaugust]

No, we fight Boko infantry mixed with civilians inside towns.

Let me see SANDF fight Seleka rebels mixed with civilians inside Soweto township so you can use G-6 Artillery guns and Olifant tanks o show your power inside Soweto, that SANDF artillery commander will be murdered by those who killed Lucky Dube
.[size=8pt][/size]

FighterPilot:

There were no civilians in Damboa.

You live inside Damboa?
.

[quote author=agaugust][/quote] There's a clear command and control in the SA. You'll see soldiers using their laser range finding and designating binoculars will deadly accuracy. Guiding mortars,artillery,smart bombs etc. But civilians always die in a war zone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEX89dFfZK0

agaugust:

You live inside Damboa?
.

This is the 21st century. Your army in 2014 introduces the Dragunov as a sniper rifle.

[size=19pt] NAF can never defeat BH in an infantry battle, at some occasions the colonel had to disguise as a WOMAN to escape the fierce of BH after his man lost the battle. [/size]

andrewza:

You do know the heaviest fighting in CAR took place inside Bangue, some time ago I posted a link to a power point prestastion that showed the locations of the fir fights.

Soweto civlians would probably kill the BH fighters long before the army is called up. 2 million+ legal firearms in SA.

Seleka rebels were not hiding inside civilian houses, they stood openly outside SANDF base and fought their way inside....there were no civilians inside your army base.

Soweto gangs with AK-47 rifles will be roasted by Boko Haram 14.5mm twin barrel anti-aircraft guns and 23mm cannon plus IED bombs. Boko Haram is strong enough to fight Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad all at the same time

MikeZA: This is the 21st century. Your army in 2014 introduces the Dragunov as a sniper rifle.

MRAPS WAS FIRST BIULT IN 19TH CENTURY BY US ARMY,BUT STILL IN USE IN 21ST CENTURY

agaugust:

Seleka rebels were not hiding inside civilian houses, they stood openly outside SANDF base and fought their way inside....there were no civilians inside your army base.

Soweto gangs with AK-47 rifles will be roasted by Boko Haram 14.5mm twin and 23mm cannon plus IED bombs. Boko Haram is strong enough to fight Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad all at the same time

So that's why our few soldiers managed to sweep over 800 of them.

PrinxArthur1: MRAPS WAS FIRST BIULT IN 19TH CENTURY BY US ARMY,BUT STILL IN USE IN 21ST CENTURY

??

They where built by the SA army, US only got MRAPs in the 21 century, and the original MRAPs are long since gone, expect for sir lanker.

FighterPilot: [size=19pt] NAF can never defeat BH in an infantry battle, at some occasions the colonel had to disguise as a WOMAN to escape the fierce of BH after his man lost the battle. [/size]

Very intelligent Colonel, should promoted to Recce Battalion officer. Brilliant escapology from inside enemy territory, world class soldier.
.

PrinxArthur1: MRAPS WAS FIRST BIULT IN 19TH CENTURY BY US ARMY,BUT STILL IN USE IN 21ST CENTURY

LIAR, MRAPS ORIGINATED ON IN SA.

agaugust:

Seleka rebels were not hiding inside civilian houses, they stood openly outside SANDF base and fought their way inside....there were no civilians inside your army base.

Soweto gangs with AK-47 rifles will be roasted by Boko Haram 14.5mm twin barrel anti-aircraft
guns and 23mm cannon plus IED bombs. Boko Haram is strong enough to fight Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad all at the same time

The Base never fell though nor where any SA solders lost at the Base. The only time Seleka solders got inside was after the cease fire was agreed on.

Home court advantage and numbers for armed SA civlians. A group like BH would have a much harder time in SA. Many a SWAPO and ANC infiltrator was killed or captured by civilian farmers. Never heard of South Africa's police reservists.

agaugust:

Very intelligent Colonel, should promoted to Recce Battalion officer. Brilliant escapology from inside enemy territory, world class soldier.
.

Anyone can disguise as a woman especially cowards.

rare pictures

agaugust:

Very intelligent Colonel, should promoted to Recce Battalion officer. Brilliant escapology from inside enemy territory, world class soldier.
.

If he was intelligent he would have been able to

A win the battle
B if not win at least not loose
C if loose to see it coming and get a proper withdrawal done.

The fact that a Colonel was put in that situation is highly wrong. Yes sure a lone solder cut off from his unit is not uncommon. But a senor officer?

MikeZA: There's a clear command and control in the SA. You'll see soldiers using their laser range finding and designating binoculars will deadly accuracy. Guiding mortars,artillery,smart bombs etc. But civilians always die in a war zone.

You don't win war by k.illing innocent civilians, it's the real armed enemy that gives you the real problem you have to kill. Mumu

.

PrinxArthur1: rare pictures

hardly rare since they have been posted before.

andrewza:

??

They where built by the SA army, US only got MRAPs in the 21 century, and the original MRAPs are long since gone, expect for sir lanker.

MRAP WAS INVENTED BY US ARMY U ONLY INHERITED IT AND DEVELOPED IT citation: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRAP

agaugust:

You don't win war by k.illing innocent civilians, it's the real armed enemy that gives you the real problem you have to kill. Mumu

.

so why did you bomb the town?

PrinxArthur1: MRAP WAS INVENTED BY US ARMY U ONLY INHERITED IT AND DEVELOPED IT citation: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRAP

The first development in armored vehicles designed specifically to counter the land mine threat were initiated during the Rhodesian Bush War; existing technology was subsequently inherited (and matured) by the South African Defence Force after 1980.[2]

Rhodesian MRAP
[img]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAxrBWbtqDmO_n6zjavgOv3bbhw9uqjPOIA2i4od224BM5FFvZ[/img]

SADF early MRAP, still used in some countries
[img]http://ngaat.files./2013/12/buffel01.png?w=580&h=443[/img]

andrewza:

hardly rare since they have been posted before.

du.mbo

patches689:


4. Your radio comms are not equal to the best in the world. They arent even equal to ours - as confirmed by Henry120

It is not just a nigerian problem, it is a south-african problem, an Egyptian problem, an algerian problem and a developing world problem.


You try to twist things up un-necessarily.

You do know it's a problem across militaries in the continent including south-africa.

andrewza:

If he was intelligent he would have been able to

A win the battle
B if not win at least not loose
C if loose to see it coming and get a proper withdrawal done.

The fact that a Colonel was put in that situation is highly wrong. Yes sure a lone solder cut off from his unit is not uncommon. But a senor officer?

Nigerian army officers don't hide at the back of ordinary soldiers, we lead from the front not from the back. Reason why our Colonel can be cut off from our army behind.

Hamas insurgents k.illed 50 Israeli army officers from NCO to lieutenant to captain to major ranks in just 21 days last month in Gaza.

One Israeli officer went missing and never came back alive. The Nigerian officer is smarter so be came back home alive.

Israeli army is the best in the world, see their result against enemies mixed and disguised as civilians, same Israeli army and air force that defeated 5 Arab countries at the same time including mighty Egypt.

Last July Gaza war proved to the world that Nigerian army infantry is better than that of Israel, not in equipment, but in men and tactics.

.