Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa has announced that soldiers’ monthly salary has been increased from N49,000 to N100,000 as part of efforts to boost welfare in the armed forces.
Speaking on News Central TV, Musa acknowledged that the new pay was still insufficient but represented significant progress.
“It is not enough. They have increased our pay. When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard and now collect N100,000,” he said.
The announcement comes amid ongoing security challenges, including banditry and kidnapping. Musa also called for stricter penalties against abductors, saying current laws are too lenient. “There must be deterrence. The laws are soft and that is why people take advantage,” he stated.
The defence chief described the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State as “a very sad event,” noting that kidnappers were using hostages as leverage.
He reiterated the military’s commitment to rescuing the victims while urging tougher legal measures.
