Army detains 6 soldiers who brutalized woman for protesting her brother’s beating

The Nigerian Army says it has set up a Board of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances that led six of its men to allegedly beat up a woman in the Odogunyan, Ikorodu area of Lagos, and landing her in hospital.

According to the army, “The female has been taken to hospital where she is responding to treatment while 6 soldiers are being detained in regards to the incident”.

A statement by Lieutenant Colonel O.M Daudu, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations said the incidence involved soldiers of 174 Battalion on Sunday March 12, 2017.

The statement read in part that “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 statement read.

Narrating her ordeal, the lady, identified as Ruth Orji had said the incidence took place at about 8:30pm on Sunday when she and her brother were returning from a birthday party.

She said that as they were about to leave, some soldiers led by one Major Ibongha, attached to the 174 Battalion, Ikorodu, Lagos State stormed the venue and started beating up people.

According to her, when they beat her brother, she protested. This earned her a slap from the soldiers who bundled her into their vehicle, and took her to their barracks where she was severely beaten.

After the beatings, she was taken to a military hospital but later transferred to the intensive care unit of another hospital in Ikeja.

Already, the Joint Legal Action Aids (JLAA) has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian Army at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking a N250 million compensation for the victim.

The body said it has also petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, with copies sent to the commanders of relevant military formations on the assault.

According to Kingsley Ughe, General Counsel for the JLAA, “We are not waiting. We have filed a legal process at the Federal High Court against the Nigerian Army and her assailants to assert her rights and demand N250m compensation.

“We are using her case and that of Ebere Ohakwe (an actress who was brutalised by soldiers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in February) to send a message to lawless elements within the military that the days of impunity and degradation of the Nigerian people are over”.