A Nigerian Army General, Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq, is currently detained in Abuja for alleged misconduct involving the misappropriation of palliative rice intended for soldiers, as well as the sale of military equipment, including operational vehicles and generators. The rice, distributed by the Nigerian Defence Headquarters as a palliative measure, was reportedly not shared with his troops in Kano State.
Investigations revealed that General Sadiq allegedly sold military assets, including a heavy-duty generator from the Military Training Camp in Falgore, Kano, to scrap dealers. In light of these serious allegations, he has been replaced by Brigadier General A.M. Tukur, a former registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Following his invitation to Abuja for questioning, General Sadiq was detained in a military police guardroom, where he is undergoing interrogation by the special investigation branch of military police. Full-scale investigations are underway, and he may face charges in a court-martial.
This incident has occurred amidst a troubling trend in the Nigerian military, where reports indicate that many soldiers are seeking voluntary retirement due to low morale and challenging operational conditions. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has approved the disengagement of 196 soldiers who have expressed interest in joining foreign military forces.