A former commander of Operation Safe Haven, Henry Ayoola, has dismissed claims that Nigerian soldiers purchasing personal military kits reflects a systemic failure within the country’s armed forces.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday, Ayoola addressed allegations made by ex-soldier Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, who recently claimed in a viral interview that military personnel often buy their own uniforms, boots, and protective gear due to inadequate provisions and low pay.
Ayoola, however, described such practices as optional rather than compulsory, noting that soldiers sometimes choose to upgrade their kits beyond standard-issue supplies.
“The idea of a soldier, out of personal choice, spending money to improve their kit beyond the standard issue should not be a big deal,” he said, insisting that it does not indicate institutional failure.
He explained that the Nigerian Armed Forces maintains a baseline provision of equipment for all personnel under what he described as a “full-service matching order.”
“There is a minimum standard of kit that every soldier must be given. It is not true to say that authorities are not kitting soldiers,” Ayoola added.
While acknowledging that operational challenges can sometimes affect the availability of equipment, the retired general emphasised that military commanders adopt strategies to optimise resources and ensure troops remain functional in the field.
“When equipment is limited, it is rationalised. There is innovation, and sometimes troops make do with what is available,” he noted.
The Nigerian Army has also rejected the claims, describing them as misleading. In a statement issued earlier in the week, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, maintained that no soldier is deployed without essential protective gear.
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Beyond the debate over equipment, Ayoola urged a broader understanding of Nigeria’s security challenges, arguing that the crisis extends beyond military capability.
“What we are dealing with is not just a security challenge,” he said, describing the situation as part of a deeper political and ideological struggle.
According to him, the inability to clearly define the nature of the threat has hindered effective responses.
“You cannot solve a problem you have not defined. What we have been doing is like cutting branches without uprooting the tree,” he stated.
Ayoola further highlighted the increasing use of technology in military operations, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, which he said have helped reduce troop vulnerability, particularly in ambush situations.
He concluded by warning that without a unified understanding of the country’s adversaries and their objectives, efforts to address insecurity may remain ineffective.
The remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the welfare, equipment, and operational readiness of Nigerian troops engaged in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the country.