Army Chief orders probe into alleged brutalization of civilian by soldiers

The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, has directed an investigation into an alleged incident of brutalization involving a civilian and military personnel.

The order comes in response to a viral video circulating online that captures a heated argument between the civilian, an officer, and two soldiers, which reportedly escalated into physical assault.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Lt. General Oluyede emphasized the Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding human rights and maintaining professional standards among its ranks.

He assured the public that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate actions taken against anyone found culpable.

The video, which has sparked widespread outrage on social media, has raised concerns about the conduct of military personnel and the need for accountability.

A press release by the Nigerian Army reads:

ACTING COAS ORDERS INVESTIGATION OF VIRAL AUDIO-VISUAL REPORT ON ALLEGATION OF BRUTALITY BY NIGERIAN ARMY PERSONNEL

The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a viral audio-visual recording circulating on social media platforms, purportedly showing a senior Army officer and 2 other soldiers in an altercation with a man and woman within the Abuja metropolis.

The circumstances leading to this incident are not clear at the moment. However, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the true circumstances surrounding this altercation. The NA remains committed to serving and protecting all law-abiding Nigerians as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, we urge the public to be rest assured that due diligence will be applied to reach a logical conclusion on this matter.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Major General
Director Army Public Relations
19 November 2024