The Nigerian Army (NA) has reacted to the viral video showing one of its officers dehumanizing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar, Cross River State.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations in a press statement said the act was not only condemnable, but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA.
The statement reads: “The NA has remained undoubtedly the pride of the nation, a symbol of national unity that has consistently (been) 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 submission that the Brigade attempted covering up was therefore misleading, as the NA remains a professional force that has zero tolerance for indiscipline amongst its personnel.
“The NA 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.”
It’s comforting to hear that the Nigerian Army is taking steps to correct this ugly incident. In addition to the trial of the erring officer, she should be made to tender unreserved public apology to the youth corp member. Hopefully others will learn and desist from the inhuman treatment of civilians.