by Dolapo Adelana
The Nigerian Army has detained six soldiers who allegedly bruatalised a woman, identified as Ruth Orji, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
Orji had claimed she was attacked by soldiers attached to 174 Battalion, Ikorodu, around 8:30pm on Sunday.
Images of her injured and badly bruised back has gone viral on the internet.
Orji in the suit against the army demanded N250m as damages.
Reacting to the allegation, the Army in a statement, by the Ag Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel, O. M. Daud on Thursday condemned the incident stating that it was “highly regrettable” as it had “zero tolerance for inhuman treatment”.
It said it had set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the claim.
“The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to the social media and Newspapers online reports on “Alleged brutalization of a female by soldiers”. The incident occurred in Odoguyan, Ikorodu area of Lagos state involving soldiers of 174 Battalion on Sunday 12 March 2017.
“The alleged incident is highly regrettable, even as the Division under the Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for inhuman treatment. Discipline remains the bedrock of the Nigerian Military Profession. It is quite disheartening when such incidences occur even though isolated will not be treated with any laxity.
“Consequently, a Board of Inquiry has been constituted by the Commander 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Elias Attu to investigate the circumstances that led to the incident, determine the level of the soldiers involvement, submit its findings and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures which will be communicated. The female has been taken to hospital where she is responding to treatment while 6 soldiers are being detained in regards to the incident.
“Gentlemen of the press, may I thank you for your timely information in bringing such incidences to fore. The Division remains committed to its tasks as part of the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army. It continues to enjoin all to be law abiding and count on their support and cooperation.”
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
pls the authorities should send the army guys to sambisa forest and benue to face fulani not women in lagos, just last week i heard a news that an airforce man kill a female girl friend haba ! Pls i love your army job but stop violence against women pls.
When will this fool called soldiers lean please………. This is becoming too much ooo! Please let the authorities compel those fools to work several years without no payment and their pay goes to that woman, don’t sack them ooo but let them pay with their hard earned money ? for their foolishness thank u