A former commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Henry Ayoola, has dismissed claims that the Nigerian army purchase their own uniforms and protective gear, insisting such assertions are misleading.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Ayoola said the Nigerian Army provides standard kits to all personnel, stressing that any additional purchases by soldiers are based on personal preference rather than systemic failure.
“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.
“It does not mean the system is not working. There is a standard kit that the Armed Forces provide, and that has not changed,” Ayoola argued.
His comments follow allegations by a former soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, also known as Soja Boi, who claimed troops often buy uniforms, boots, and bulletproof vests due to inadequate supply.
Ayoola, however, maintained that every soldier is entitled to a minimum standard of equipment under the military’s “full-service matching order,” noting that authorities have not failed in their responsibility to kit troops.
“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 added.
He acknowledged that operational challenges may sometimes affect equipment availability but said commanders typically manage resources efficiently, with personnel occasionally improvising where necessary.
“When equipment is limited, it is rationalised. There is innovation, and sometimes troops make do with what is available,” he explained.
Backing his position, the Nigerian Army also denied the allegations, describing them as false and misleading.
In a statement, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, said no soldier is deployed to operational theatres without the required protective equipment.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no soldier is deployed to an operational theatre without the necessary protective equipment,” a statement from the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, read.
Ayoola further argued that the narrative around troop vulnerability is often exaggerated, adding that increased use of intelligence and surveillance technology, including drones, has helped reduce risks such as ambushes.
He emphasised that while improvements are ongoing, claims that soldiers are left unequipped do not reflect the reality on the ground.
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