Crime/Social Justice
Nigerian Army rejects claims of corruption, religious bias at 90 Amphibious Battalion, labels them 'Institutional Blackmail'
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
26 Nov 2025 01:25 PM
Port Harcourt, Rivers – The Nigerian Army's 6 Division has categorically dismissed circulating social media allegations of internal power struggles, welfare neglect, and financial exploitation at the 90 Amphibious Battalion in Koko, Delta State, describing them as "unsubstantiated and malicious falsehoods" aimed at undermining command structures.
In an official statement released Wednesday, the division emphasized its commitment to professionalism and zero tolerance for corruption, while assuring the public of investigations into any verifiable infractions.
The response, signed by Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Division, addresses a report published by Sahara Reporters earlier today, which cited anonymous soldiers accusing the battalion's Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. M.M. Garba, of systemic malfeasance.
The allegations, which surfaced prominently on November 22, 2025, have sparked debates on social media about military welfare and accountability in the Niger Delta region.
According to the soldiers' accounts in the Sahara Reporters investigation, the battalion responsible for securing oil facilities in a high-revenue riverine corridor has been plagued by:
Checkpoint Racketeering and Corruption: Preferential assignment of Muslim soldiers to lucrative checkpoints (e.g., Amukpe, Jesse, Oton, Koko), allegedly generating ₦200,000 weekly in remittances funneled to two non-commissioned officers (NCOs), Sgt. Babangida Galadima and Sgt. Abdulmalik Musa.
These NCOs were accused of exerting undue influence, sidelining officers and controlling operations.
Welfare Neglect and Diversion: Shortages of essentials like drinking water, with supplies allegedly diverted. Soldiers reportedly faced hurdles in accessing gunboats for leave and received inadequate feeding allowances, despite claims of a ₦7 million monthly "assistance" fund whose origins and distribution remain opaque.
Religious Bias and Administrative Lapses: Postings based on religion and loyalty rather than merit or rotation. A new Chief Clerk was appointed without handover, and a sudden troop rotation on November 22 was viewed as an effort to silence dissenters.
The evidence cited included anonymous testimonies from current and former personnel, though no independent verification was provided.
In rebuttal, Lt. Col. Danjuma stated that postings and deployments are "routine exercises" free from "primordial considerations" like religion or loyalty. He praised Lt. Col. Garba for "discharging his command responsibilities in the most professional manner within the available resources."
The statement highlighted established internal complaint mechanisms, warning that bypassing them constitutes "institutional blackmail."
While urging the public to disregard the claims, the army pledged probes into "noticeable infractions," particularly extortion-related ones.
This is not the first defense of the battalion. On November 22, security analyst Zagazola Makama published accounts from soldiers lauding Lt. Col. Garba for increasing allowances from ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 monthly, securing direct ₦150,000 feeding payments from oil firms (despite delays from SEPLAT since January), and personally funding ₦7 million in monthly welfare support.
Anonymous troops described the CO as a "good man" who has boosted morale since assuming command in January 2025.
The 90 Amphibious Battalion, part of 6 Division, operates in Delta State's volatile oil-rich creeks, tasked with countering militancy and pipeline vandalism. Its "Vigilance and Resilience" motto underscores its role in a region prone to resource conflicts.
Recent welfare concerns echo broader military challenges, including delayed payments amid Nigeria's economic strains, but the religious bias claims have drawn particular ire, evoking memories of past interfaith tensions in the armed forces.
The allegations gained traction via viral posts, with users demanding probes into "rotten" leadership.
However, supportive voices, including from deployed personnel, countered that improvements under Garba have been "tangible," dismissing the narrative as misinformation aimed at "spoiling his name."
As 6 Division recommits to Niger Delta safety, the episode highlights ongoing tensions between military opacity and public demands for accountability. Investigations, if pursued, could clarify these claims and reinforce the army's anti-corruption stance.
In an official statement released Wednesday, the division emphasized its commitment to professionalism and zero tolerance for corruption, while assuring the public of investigations into any verifiable infractions.
The response, signed by Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Division, addresses a report published by Sahara Reporters earlier today, which cited anonymous soldiers accusing the battalion's Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. M.M. Garba, of systemic malfeasance.
The allegations, which surfaced prominently on November 22, 2025, have sparked debates on social media about military welfare and accountability in the Niger Delta region.
According to the soldiers' accounts in the Sahara Reporters investigation, the battalion responsible for securing oil facilities in a high-revenue riverine corridor has been plagued by:
Checkpoint Racketeering and Corruption: Preferential assignment of Muslim soldiers to lucrative checkpoints (e.g., Amukpe, Jesse, Oton, Koko), allegedly generating ₦200,000 weekly in remittances funneled to two non-commissioned officers (NCOs), Sgt. Babangida Galadima and Sgt. Abdulmalik Musa.
These NCOs were accused of exerting undue influence, sidelining officers and controlling operations.
Welfare Neglect and Diversion: Shortages of essentials like drinking water, with supplies allegedly diverted. Soldiers reportedly faced hurdles in accessing gunboats for leave and received inadequate feeding allowances, despite claims of a ₦7 million monthly "assistance" fund whose origins and distribution remain opaque.
Religious Bias and Administrative Lapses: Postings based on religion and loyalty rather than merit or rotation. A new Chief Clerk was appointed without handover, and a sudden troop rotation on November 22 was viewed as an effort to silence dissenters.
The evidence cited included anonymous testimonies from current and former personnel, though no independent verification was provided.
In rebuttal, Lt. Col. Danjuma stated that postings and deployments are "routine exercises" free from "primordial considerations" like religion or loyalty. He praised Lt. Col. Garba for "discharging his command responsibilities in the most professional manner within the available resources."
The statement highlighted established internal complaint mechanisms, warning that bypassing them constitutes "institutional blackmail."
While urging the public to disregard the claims, the army pledged probes into "noticeable infractions," particularly extortion-related ones.
This is not the first defense of the battalion. On November 22, security analyst Zagazola Makama published accounts from soldiers lauding Lt. Col. Garba for increasing allowances from ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 monthly, securing direct ₦150,000 feeding payments from oil firms (despite delays from SEPLAT since January), and personally funding ₦7 million in monthly welfare support.
Anonymous troops described the CO as a "good man" who has boosted morale since assuming command in January 2025.
The 90 Amphibious Battalion, part of 6 Division, operates in Delta State's volatile oil-rich creeks, tasked with countering militancy and pipeline vandalism. Its "Vigilance and Resilience" motto underscores its role in a region prone to resource conflicts.
Recent welfare concerns echo broader military challenges, including delayed payments amid Nigeria's economic strains, but the religious bias claims have drawn particular ire, evoking memories of past interfaith tensions in the armed forces.
The allegations gained traction via viral posts, with users demanding probes into "rotten" leadership.
However, supportive voices, including from deployed personnel, countered that improvements under Garba have been "tangible," dismissing the narrative as misinformation aimed at "spoiling his name."
As 6 Division recommits to Niger Delta safety, the episode highlights ongoing tensions between military opacity and public demands for accountability. Investigations, if pursued, could clarify these claims and reinforce the army's anti-corruption stance.
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