Army orders probe of Major General involved in ‘assault’ of Abuja couple
The Nigerian Army has instituted a probe into the viral video showing an army officer, Major General G.S. Mohammed and some soldiers purportedly assaulting a couple in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
It was learnt that trouble started when the couple allegedly overtook the general’s convoy on the road.
In the video, the military personnel could be seen attacking the couple before reportedly handcuffing them and transporting them to the Gwarimpa Police Station.
In a statement on Wednesday, Army Spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede, had ordered an investigation into the incident.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a viral audio-visual recording circulating on social media platforms, purportedly showing a senior Army officer and 2 other soldiers in an altercation with a man and woman within the Abuja metropolis.
“The circumstances leading to this incident are not clear at the moment.
“However, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the true circumstances surrounding this altercation.
“The NA remains committed to serving and protecting all law-abiding Nigerians as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Therefore, we urge the public to be rest assured that due diligence will be applied to reach a logical conclusion on this matter.”
The video of the couple’s altercation with the military men emerged on the internet and went viral in the last 24 hours.
It was soon followed by a letter of demand by the couple.
They alleged that the military officers stopped them, dragged them out of their car, and subjected them to severe physical abuse.
The couple, Mr Vershima Mker and Ms. Lami Jennifer Iorvihi, said Major General G.S. Mohammed spearheaded the attack on them with his aide, Corporal A. Abubakar.
They called for his dismissal in addition to a compensation of N150 million for the alleged abuse of power.
Report indicated that the incident occurred after Mr Mker overtook Major General Mohammed’s vehicle.
The military officer’s convoy then allegedly stopped the couple, dragged them out of their car, and subjected them to severe physical abuse.
According to the couple, after the assault, Major General Mohammed and his aide handcuffed them, shoved them into the trunk of a vehicle, and transported them to the Gwarimpa Police Station.
It was learnt that there, the General allegedly ordered the police to detain them indefinitely until he gave instructions for their release.
The couple, in a petition filed through their counsel, Tom Uja & Co., are seeking the immediate dismissal of Major General G.S. Mohammed and Corporal A. Abubakar, along with the sum of N150 million as compensation for their inhuman treatment.
The statement reads, “Our clients are university graduates who are intending to get married soon and as part of their preparations, were in Gwarimpa visitng with relations and intending guests. While driving on 3rd Avenue, Gwarimpa the said Major General G.S. Mohammed driving with his convoy also joined the road with sirens blaring from behind.”
Uja said, despite the crowded sidewalk, the victim made haste and parked for the Major General. Yet the Major General G.S. Musa and his convoy blocked the couple and started beating and insulting them in a way that even prisoners of war are never treated.
“The video coverage and pictures released to us by our clients show Gen. G.S. Musa personally beating up our clients alongside with Corporal A. Abubakar,” it reads.
He said the brutal army general and his details handcuffed the couple, pushed them into the boot of one of their vehicles and took them to the Gwarimpa Police Station where the Army General ordered them to be detained until he would give word for their release.
It reads, “And true to his word, our clients were detained for 8 hours until General G.S. Musa personally came to the Police Station with armed soldiers and compelled our clients to write an apology to him under duress before they were released.
“Meanwhile, our clients have suffered severe bodily injuries and psychological damage. Our Vershima Mker is severely wounded.”
Uja said, “Iorvihi on whose full and firm instructions we demand for the immediate dismissal of Major General G.S. Mohammed and Corporal A. Abubakar and the sum of N150 million for their inhuman treatment of our clients by beating, subjecting them to abuse, wounding and causing them to be detained at the Police without they committing
Uja said, “Meanwhile, our clients have suffered severe bodily injuries and psychological damage. Vershima Mker is severely wounded on his ribs as well as his eye which is now requiring foreign treatment. Miss. Lami Jennifer lorvihi has a fractured finger and is still undergoing treatment.
“The actions of your officers and soldiers constitute gross violation of our clients’ constitutional rights as much as they are criminal. Our clients are undergoing psychological trauma, bodily harm and loss of time to organize their marriage ceremony. We attach herewith for your perusal, photos and videos of the torture.”
According to the petition filed by the couple, “Take notice that if by close of business on November 18, 2024 you have not acceded to our demands as contained herein we shall in addition to publishing the video concerned on all social media platforms also institute civil suits in the appropriate law courts to seek redress for our clients. This will bring irreparable damage to the image of the Army and also cost irrecoverable losses. We hope this will not be necessary.”
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