The recent incident involving an unidentified major general and soldiers of the Nigerian Army assaulting a civilian couple in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is unacceptable.
Development Diaries reports that, according to the viral video on social media, the altercation happened after the soldiers stopped the couple for ‘unlawfully overtaking’ their convoy.
Nigerian Army officers @HQNigerianArmy have no right to settle scores with Nigerians on the street even when the civilians might be wrong; it is for the police to determine after a thorough investigation. pic.twitter.com/Dafxh2krTL
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) November 19, 2024
The video showed the military personnel attacking the couple before reportedly handcuffing them and transporting them to the Gwarimpa police station.
Military personnel are bound by a code of conduct emphasising respect for human rights and professional conduct, irrespective of the situation.
The alleged actions of the major general and soldiers, including physical assault and the arbitrary detention of civilians, starkly contradict these principles.
Such behaviour undermines the army’s stated commitment to safeguarding Nigerians’ rights and dignity. Incidents like this can have far-reaching implications for the public’s perceptions of military authority.
While the Nigerian army plays a crucial role in maintaining national security, it cannot exist without the trust of the people.
Allegations of abuse and misconduct, particularly by high-ranking officers, further lead to citizens’ distrust in security forces and their ability to protect them.
This distrust can weaken civilian cooperation with security forces. Another concern is handling this incident, as it is critical in shaping future civilian-military relations.
According to a statement by the army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, an investigation into the incident was ordered.
ACTING COAS ORDERS INVESTIGATION OF VIRAL AUDIO-VISUAL REPORT ON ALLEGATION OF BRUTALITY BY NIGERIAN ARMY PERSONNEL
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… pic.twitter.com/ZbW4UcNAxR
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) November 20, 2024
The Nigerian army’s swift response is a positive step. However, it is crucial that this process is transparent, thorough, and impartial.
In the past, there have been several incidences of soldiers assaulting civilians; however, notable actions have not been taken to curb recurrences.
In March 2023, a soldier at the Babana community in Borgu local government area, Niger State, shot a nursing mother and her infant to death.
According to reports, the soldier who was assigned to protect the people from bandits, shot at a commercial motorcyclist conveying the victims because he allegedly refused to pay him a N200 bribe at a checkpoint.
Another instance occurred in March 2022, where a car trader, Adeyinka Adekunle, was beaten to death by troops from the Nigerian Army Battalion, Ibodi, Ilesa, Osun State, following a fight at a pub.
In 2023, residents of Tilde Fulbe in Kaduna State accused soldiers of extrajudicial killings, torture, and extortion during a military raid. However, the military denied wrongdoing, and no significant actions have been taken to address the community’s grievances
In other parts of the world, the military is a bulwark of discipline and leadership development. However, some Nigerian soldiers are ruthless bullies who constantly turn against civilians.
The public needs to see concrete evidence that such behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within the ranks of the army, regardless of the offender’s position.
Moreover, this case highlights the importance of reinforcing military training and ethics in civilian engagement.
It serves as a reminder of the need for periodic evaluations and reorientation programmes to ensure soldiers at all levels fully understand the consequences of their actions on the army’s reputation and their responsibility to protect civilians.
Development Diaries calls on the acting COAS, Lieutenant General Oluyede, to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing this incident.
A credible investigation followed by appropriate disciplinary actions will demonstrate a commitment to upholding its core values and restoring public confidence in its operations.
