Reactions have trailed the disclosure by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, that Nigerian soldiers now earn a minimum monthly salary of N100,000.

Veterans and serving personnel described the amount as grossly inadequate.

This is as they accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to implement a salary increment he promised nearly four months ago.

This comes as President Tinubu on Thursday evening convened a security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, comprising the entire military command, intelligence leadership and top security advisers, including his Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.), whom he appointed in May.

A retired soldier, Abdul Isiak, said the current pay could not meet the cost of living.

He added that better pay would translate to better performance from troops.

“It is not enough at all. What is N100, 000 with the current situation of the country. It can’t get to anywhere. They should do better. If they pay more, they would put more effort into what they are doing, “ he said.

A retired sergeant, Zaki Williams, went further, questioning whether the figure disclosed by the minister was even accurate.

“I doubt if they are paying up to that amount now, it is a lie,” he said.

He described any government paying soldiers N100,000 as “not a serious one” given the hardships troops face.

“Even at that, that money is too ridiculous. Any government paying a soldier N100, 000 is not a serious one. If you know what they are passing through, you would not offer them such a money. We have been crying but no help. The government has tried, but they can do better, “he said.

The coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, said the sum was far from sufficient for personnel who risk their lives for the country.

“How can that be ok. How can that be sufficient for someone who’s putting his life on the line for the country? We know the cost of living in this country today. That’s not sufficient for any man who is ensuring the peaceful coexistence of the country. It is far from it. My brother, how much is a bag of rice today? We are not talking about children school fees, shelter and what have you,” he said.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had said Nigerian soldiers now earn a minimum monthly salary of N100,000 following a recent review of their welfare by the Federal Government.

Musa disclosed this during an interview on News Central on Wednesday, ahead of its broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme on Friday.

The former Chief of Defence Staff also said that the military remained underfunded despite the improvement in personnel welfare.

Responding to a question on whether the current defence budget was adequate, the minister replied, “It’s not enough.”

He, however, said the Federal Government had significantly improved soldiers’ salaries.

“When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting N100,000,” he said.

The minister also advocated the introduction of the death penalty for kidnappers, saying stiffer punishment was needed to curb the growing wave of abductions across the country.

“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” Musa said.

Commenting on the recent abduction of pupils in Oyo State, the minister described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that the kidnappers were attempting to force the military to release some of their detained commanders.

“You know, it’s a very sad event. Unfortunately, bad things do happen. For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us, and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander,” he said.

According to him, the abductors also threatened to kill the children if security forces intensified rescue operations.

“They are now threatening that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” he added.

Musa also dismissed allegations of poor feeding in the military, insisting that claims circulating in the public space were misleading.

Referring to an incident involving a military officer identified as Justice Crack, he claimed that the officer deliberately created a false impression about the quality of meals served to soldiers.

“The soldier’s food was okay. There was meat; there was all this. But he told them to pull out those things and make it look as if those things were not there,” the minister said.