Nigerian Army said it was taking disciplinary measures against two
soldiers captured on video maltreating a physically challenged person
southeast of the country.
In the latest human rights violation to
mar the image of the uniformed forces, the officers are filmed in a
two-minute video brutalizing the man for wearing camouflage in Onitsha,
Anambra State.
He is thrown off his wheelchair, beaten to stupor as he rolls on the ground.
Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, expressed the Army’s outrage over the incident that happened on Tuesday.
He said the 82 Division Nigerian Army had with great concern studied the video, identified the perpetrators.
He
said the soldiers had been tried at the unit level in Onitsha, and
referred to higher level for appropriate punishment commensurate to the
offence committed.
The event is seen as embarrassing as it
happened on the day Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin,
emphasized the military was guided by the principles of human rights
protection in all its operations.
Musa said the two soldiers’ actions “does not reflect the attitude of today’s Nigeria Army soldier.”
He said the army had always preached tolerance, respect and peaceful coexistence.
Musa said the Nigerian Army had consistently maintains zero tolerance for indiscipline and human rights violation.
“Whatever
human rights infraction is seen, appropriate sanction will be applied
to serve as deterrence to others. This case will not be an exception.”
