DHQ warns ex-soldiers against illegal protests

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has advised former soldiers who are demonstrating at the Federal Ministry of Finance regarding the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to stop, labeling their actions as unlawful.

On Friday, Major General Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that these protests were hindering official functions at the ministry and would no longer be accepted.

While recognizing the right to peaceful protest, the DHQ recommended that the veterans exercise caution and leave the Federal Ministry of Finance to allow normal government operations to proceed without disruption, according to Kangye.

He clarified that neither the DHQ nor the government owes any retired soldiers an SDA and that payments are made according to existing salary standards.

Kangye explained that gratuities and the SDA for retired soldiers are based on the salary scale effective on their retirement date.

He mentioned that former soldiers who retired between January 1 and July 28, 2024, are associated with the pre-minimum wage scale, while those retiring from July 29, 2024, onward are under the minimum wage scale, due to the introduction of the new wage system.

“Sadly, some soldiers who retired before the new wage implementation want their benefits calculated using the updated minimum wage scale, which is not feasible. Each government policy has a set start date, and this situation is no different,” Kangye emphasized.

He called on the protesting veterans to follow established procedures and to avoid any further unlawful demonstrations.