Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Army has firmly countered a wave of viral allegations suggesting its troops in the North-East are poorly fed, declaring the claims false, misleading, and damaging to ongoing military operations.
In a decisive response, the Theatre Command of the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, said it launched an internal review after images and narratives surfaced online portraying inadequate feeding conditions among deployed personnel.
Speaking through the Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Command stated that the findings of the review “clearly established” that the viral reports do not reflect the reality on ground, insisting that troops’ welfare including feeding meets approved military standards.
Uba stressed that all personnel across formations are provided rations in strict compliance with established feeding scales, adding that the system is not only structured but also consistently implemented across operational locations.
He further explained that troop welfare is deliberately enhanced during major festive periods such as Sallah and Easter, a measure aimed at boosting morale and sustaining operational effectiveness in the theatre.
Providing insight into the process, the Army noted that feeding arrangements are supervised by Food Committees made up of personnel across ranks and led by senior non-commissioned officers, ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper monitoring of meal preparation and distribution.
However, the Command disclosed that its investigation uncovered a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, revealing that a personnel circulated an image of a partially eaten meal to falsely depict poor feeding conditions.
According to Uba, the image did not represent the full ration issued, and disciplinary action has since been taken against the soldier in line with the Armed Forces Act to uphold discipline and institutional integrity.
Reassuring Nigerians, the Army maintained that the welfare of troops remains a top priority despite the complexities of the North-East operational environment, noting that sustained efforts are made to ensure personnel are adequately catered for under all conditions.
The Command also cautioned troops against bypassing internal grievance channels, warning that actions capable of undermining morale and cohesion would not be tolerated.
It further urged the public to disregard unverified online content, emphasizing that the spread of misinformation poses a serious threat to national security and could hinder military progress in the region.
Reaffirming its mandate, Operation HADIN KAI pledged continued commitment to restoring peace, stability, and economic recovery in the North-East.
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