The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja has acknowledged delays in the payment of Ration Cash Allowance (RCA) to soldiers deployed in various military operations across the country, attributing the issue to system-related glitches rather than negligence by commanders.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Magnus Kangye, clarified that no field commander or senior officer deliberately withholds funds meant for troops’ welfare.
“The issue of soldiers’ welfare has always been a priority. No field commander will receive money to feed or pay his troops and refuse to do so. That would be unthinkable because it would affect morale and operational effectiveness,” Kangye said.
He explained that the delays were likely caused by technical or transactional issues within the financial system, stressing that affected personnel would eventually receive their full allowances.
“Yes, there may be delays at times — perhaps a day or two — due to certain transaction issues. No system is perfect, but the RCA will definitely be paid,” he assured.
Drawing an analogy, Kangye likened the situation to a routine bank transfer that experiences temporary delays.
“Just like when you send money to your family and they say it hasn’t reflected yet — it doesn’t mean the money is gone. It’s a system issue,” he said.
His comments come amid growing discontent among soldiers in Operation Fasan Yamma (North-West) and Operation Whirl Stroke (North-Central), who claim they have not received their RCA since August 2025.
The Ration Cash Allowance forms a critical part of soldiers’ welfare, covering their feeding and basic needs during active field duty.
Over the years, recurring reports of delayed or unpaid allowances in the Nigerian military have raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and the morale of troops confronting insecurity across multiple regions.
