… Says act unprofessional and unacceptable
… Officer identified, sanctioned
The Nigerian Army (NA) has tendered an unreserved apology to the Corps member dehumanized by a female Soldier in a viral video, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment meted out to the Corps member.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations who tendered the apology in a statement in Abuja on Thursday noted that “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 dehumanizing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar, Cross River State”, adding that “This act is not only condemnable, but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA.”
Nwachukwu observed that the NA had remained undoubtedly the pride of the nation, a symbol of national unity that had consistently been in the vanguard of respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry.
He said that “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 action has caused the NA monumental embarrassment and is highly regrettable. This unfortunate act of indiscipline does not in any way represent the NA and will not be condoned in its entirety.”
The Army spokesman disclosed that the ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar, adding that the Brigade Commander immediately instituted an investigation and the officer involved had 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. Therefore, the general public is enjoined 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.
“The NA further wishes to tender 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”, he stated.
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