ARMED FORCES ARREST 16 OFFICERS OVER FAILURE IN PROMOTION EXAMS AND ‘CAREER STAGNATION’ GRIEVANCES

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the arrest of 16 officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) over allegations of indiscipline and serious breaches of service regulations. The military high command stated that the move is a critical part of its routine efforts to uphold the core values of order, discipline, and loyalty within its ranks.

In a statement released on Saturday, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, confirmed the arrests and provided insight into the officers’ underlying grievances. Investigations into the matter revealed that the officers’ conduct, which was “deemed incompatible with the standards of military service,” largely stemmed from their perceived frustration with career stagnation. This stagnation was reportedly caused by the repeated failure of the officers in promotion examinations, among other internal issues.

General Gusau also noted that some of the apprehended personnel were already under military jurisdiction for various previous offences, either awaiting or currently undergoing trial, further compounding their disciplinary issues.

The DHQ emphasized that these actions are strictly disciplinary in nature, aimed at ensuring accountability and preserving the professionalism of the Armed Forces. “Upon completion of investigation, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability and preserve professionalism within the Armed Forces,” the statement read.

The military strongly reiterated its commitment to its constitutional responsibilities and assured the public that it will not tolerate any behaviour that “undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority.” This decisive action serves as a stern warning to all personnel regarding the absolute necessity of adherence to the military’s strict code of conduct.