The Nigerian military has dismissed reports alleging that soldiers deployed to Operation Fansan Yamma in Zamfara and Katsina states are being fed poisonous food and contaminated drinking water.
The military described the allegations as false and misleading, emphasizing that troops’ meals are prepared under strict hygiene standards.
An online news portal had reported that soldiers in the North-West operational theatre were receiving substandard meals described as “poisonous and inedible,” with complaints about the absence of meat and unsafe drinking water.
One anonymous soldier reportedly said, “The food is so bad that even an Almajiri can’t eat it with happiness; I swear. That’s not food, it’s poisonous and disgusting. It’s also without meat and tasteless.”
The report also highlighted complaints about unpaid allowances and poor welfare, with a soldier lamenting: “We are fighting bandits, risking our lives, but unfortunately, we’re suffering from poor feeding and non-payment of our allowances when due.”
However, the military, through a statement signed by Abubakar Abdullahi, Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Centre for Operation Fansan Yamma, refuted the claims.
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He stated that all meals for troops are prepared by trained cooks from the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, following the highest standards of hygiene and nutrition.
“Additionally, the Nigerian Army Engineers ensure a steady supply of clean drinking water through constructed boreholes, fully compliant with all hygienic regulations,” the statement read. “If these allegations were true, our troops would not remain healthy, alert, and capable of consistently achieving operational successes in the theatre.”
Addressing the issue of unpaid allowances, the statement clarified that operational allowances had been paid up to February 2025, with only March 2025 pending, which is scheduled for disbursement by the end of the month.
The Defence Headquarters acknowledged challenges related to troop rotations, citing manpower shortages across all theatres as the primary cause of delays.
The military urged the media to verify facts before publishing, warning that misinformation could demoralize troops and erode public trust in the Armed Forces.
The statement called for balanced and fact-based journalism that acknowledges the complexities of ongoing military operations while recognizing the sacrifices made by soldiers.
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