A female soldier, Lance Corporal Philomena Nnamoko, has cried out that she is psychologically unbalanced and gradually losing her mind since the Nigerian Army refused to discharge her from service.
The 39-year-old soldier who currently serves at Ilese Barracks, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State told The PUNCH that she had written a series of letters to authorities seeking voluntary discharge, but nothing had been done.
“I have written more than 10 letters to the Army asking for a voluntary discharge, but I have not been considered. I do not know why.
“The last letter I wrote was on December 11, 2022, but to my dismay, my name was still not among the last batch that was discharged on July 28, 2023. Even those who had just written theirs and submitted in January and February have been discharged.
“I am psychologically unbalanced, and I am gradually losing my mind. Some people are saying they want to book me for AWOL. I cannot go through that torture again. The pain is too much for me. I want to be discharged from the Army,” she insisted.
Counsel for the soldier, Kayode Oshiyemi, expressed worry over the safety of his client, confirming that she is currently going through an emotional trauma.
According to him, she has written three letters after the first publication by The PUNCH on the matter in December 2022.
“Why she is not being discharged remains a mystery to us. She wants to leave the service and she comes to my office everyday crying. Please, the Army should discharge her freely and let her go,” Oshiyemi pleaded.
When contacted, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, told The PUNCH that the Nigerian Army has terms and conditions of service guiding the enlistment or commissioning, period of service and even discharge or retirement of its personnel.
He maintained that once the personnel concerned meets the provisions for discharge or retirement, it will be approved.
