The Nigerian Army, (NA) has taken cognisance 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, in Southern Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by the Nigerian Army on Thursday, ”the 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 Army 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 said.
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 reassured Nigerians 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.”
It therefore, called on the general public to continue to report such infractions, as Human Rights Desks in all of their formations are emplaced to deal decisively with such erring personnel.
The NA further tendered an 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.