By Adesakin Adefemi
A dismissed Nigerian soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, has dared the Nigerian Army to release its payroll after displaying bank transaction alerts he said proved that soldiers earn modest wages and are compelled to buy their own protective gear.
Olamilekan, a former lance corporal with service number 18NA/77/1009, made the fresh claims in a video posted on Tuesday, hours after the Army described his earlier allegations as false and misleading.
He was quick to clarify his intentions, saying, “I am not trying to spoil the Nigerian Army’s image or make people look at them as if they are not good. But I am just speaking the facts and I will be backing them with evidence.” In the video, he showed three bank transaction alerts he said were evidence of payments he received while in service.
The first alert, dated February 2, 2026, showed a credit of N112,061.59 with a narration referencing “NIC-ARMY AC.” The second alert, dated February 4, 2026, showed a N20,000 credit with a narration reading “RTGS INFLOW FROM CBNi B/ORFL CENTRAL B.” The third alert, dated November 4, 2025, showed a N45,000 credit with a narration referencing “SKYSTONE FINANCE COMPANY LTD.”
Olamilekan identified the N112,061.59 as his salary, the N20,000 as grumbling allowance, and the N45,000 as an operational allowance paid only to soldiers deployed to active theatres such as Maiduguri. He said a security allowance of N6,000 also existed, stressing that the operational allowance was not a standing entitlement.
The Army had dismissed Olamilekan’s claims as baseless, insisting that uniforms, kits, arms, and protective gear were provided to all personnel through established logistics systems. However, Olamilekan maintained his stance, appealing to Nigerians to verify his claims. He urged the public to hold the military accountable for any discrepancies in their pay and benefits.
The incident has sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many calling for transparency and accountability in the military’s payroll system. Social media platforms are abuzz with reactions, with some supporting Olamilekan’s claims and others defending the Army’s position.
As the controversy rages on, one thing is clear: the Nigerian public wants answers about the military’s payroll system and the welfare of its soldiers.
