The Nigerian Army has said that it has identified the female officer who dehumanized a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by pouring mud o her.
It also said that the officer had been sanctioned on the interim and would be made to undergo regimental orders (trial) in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
In a press statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday, September 23, 2021, it was said: “ the Nigerian Army (NA) has taken cognizance of a video clip currently making the rounds on the social media, where a female officer was seen dehumanizing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar, Cross River State. This act is not only condemnable, but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA.
“The NA has remained undoubtedly the pride of the nation, a symbol of national unity that has consistently being in the vanguard of respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry. It is against this premise that the NA condemns this unimaginable level of infraction by a personnel in its ranks.
“The NA therefore, condemns in strong terms, this act of gross misconduct. Undoubtedly, the officer’s actions has caused the NA monumental embarrassment and is highly regrettable.
“This unfortunate act of indiscipline does not in anyway represent the NA and will not be condoned in its entirety.
“For the records, the ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar. The Brigade Commander immediately instituted an investigation and the officer involved has been identified and sanctioned on the interim, and would be made to undergo regimental orders (trial) in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.“
The statement added that the submission that the Brigade attempted covering up was misleading, as the NA remained a professional force that has zero tolerance for indiscipline among its personnel.
“The NA (Nigerian Army) wishes to reiterate and assure the general public that such infractions would not be tolerated from its personnel.
“The NA also reassures that the rights of the citizenry is sacrosanct and must be respected by all personnel of the NA, as any form of infraction will be severely dealt with.
“Therefore, the general public is enjoined to continue to report such infractions, as Human Rights Desks in all formations of the NA are emplaced to deal decisively with such erring personnel.
“The NA further wishes to tender unreserved apology to the victim, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment meted out to the Corps member,” Gen. Nwachukwu said in the statement.
It will be recalled that a female commissioned army officer, identified as Lt. Chika Viola Anele, was caught on camera punishing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia in Cross River State after an alleged argument between them.
A Nigerian journalist and human rights activist, Agba Jalingo, had shared a video on his Facebook page showing the officer pouring an unknown white substance on the kneeling corps member, after which she hit her with a bowl.
