The Headquarters of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, has dismissed allegations circulating on social media regarding the non-payment of allowances to soldiers and alleged extortion of motorists by troops deployed in Ogun State, describing the claims as false, malicious and misleading.
The denial follows a viral video authored by an individual identified as Abdul, which accused the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Godwin Nwamba, the Commanding Officer of 351 Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Matthew, and the Brigade Operations Officer, Major Isaac Ezechukwu, of denying soldiers their allowances and permitting extortion along border routes.
In a statement issued on January 2, 2026, and signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, the Brigade clarified that soldiers deployed on company duties in Ogun State are operating under Operation MESA, a state-sponsored, multi-agency security operation.
According to the statement, personnel under Operation MESA were previously paid a monthly allowance of ₦45,000 before Brigadier General Nwamba assumed command in January 2025. Upon taking over, the Brigade Commander reportedly approved an upward review of the allowance to ₦60,000 per soldier per month, in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy of sound administration. The Brigade noted that the revised allowance is being paid regularly by the state government.
Addressing claims of extortion, the Brigade stated that troops deployed along border areas have not engaged in any form of illegal or unethical conduct. It stressed that the Nigerian Army operates a zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline and extortion, adding that no credible complaints have been recorded against its personnel in this regard. The statement further disclosed that, in compliance with directives from Defence and Army Headquarters, all unnecessary checkpoints along border routes have been dismantled, leaving only relevant security agencies to conduct vehicle checks.
The Brigade described the allegations as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that the author of the video is a disgruntled retired airman with a history of spreading false narratives against senior officers.
The 35 Artillery Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, transparency and the welfare of its personnel, while pledging continued collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders in Ogun State to safeguard lives and property in line with constitutional responsibilities.
