Army condemns officer dehumanizing corps member in viral video
Says officer's action in video highly unprofessional and unacceptable
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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 dehumanising a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar, Cross River State.
The officer serving in the 13th Brigade Command of the Nigeria Army in Calabar, Lt. Chika Viola Anele, was caught on camera manhandling the female youth Corp member, Ezeiruaku Ifenyinwa Fidelia.
The Corp member is reportedly serving in the 13th Brigade.
It was learnt she was mishandled by the soldier over disagreement on an unknown issue.
Dressed in her full NYSC attire, the youth corps member was forced to kneel down by the Army officer as she poured a liquid substance suspected to be dirty water on her in the video.
Reacting in a statement, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said:
“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.
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“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.”
Brigadier General Nwachukwu, therefore, enjoined the general public 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.
He also, on behalf of the Army, tendered 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.
