…AS SOLDIER ALLEGES SEXUAL HARASSMENT, RAPE
The Nigerian Army (NA) has said it would thoroughly investigate allegations of maltreatment by some senior officers on a female soldier in a viral video.
In a statement on Friday by the Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu in Abuja said that the army has been inundated with audiovisuals making the rounds on social media of the unprofessional conduct of a female soldier in mufti, who claimed to have been maltreated by some senior officers.
In the viral video obtained by our correspondent, the female soldier who wore a civil dress and who didn’t identify herself by name explained being personnel of the Medical Centre, Ojo Cantonment, Lagos, and accused Col IB Abdulkareem, Col GS Ogor and Brig Gen IB Solebo of victimization and threatening to dismiss her from the force.
Particularly, she alleged that Col Abdulkareem sexually harassed her and threatened to inject her. As all efforts failed, she further explained, the senior officer was said to have resorted to blackmail, stigmatization and threat to life by sending boys to her house in the barracks, an act she claimed to have evidence and witnesses.
She further stated: “I don’t want to die young. If anything happens to me, hold the officers responsible, especially Col Abdulkareem. They don’t want me to grow and don’t want my progress.
The unnamed female soldier also added that, “There was a day she locked me up, injected and attempted to rape me and when he was almost caught, he said I was having mental illness and he took me to Psychiatric hospital and locked me there for one month without medication.
“He has frozen my salary since February 2023 to date; denied her access to military courses. I got admission to medical college and he refused to release me to attend.
“I can’t endure it again; let the worst happen and I don’t bloody care. I wrote a petition citing Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act 1993 as amended in line with the 1999 Constitution, but nobody listened to her, and nothing happened.
According to Section 179 (sub-section 1) “If a soldier, rating or aircraft man thinks himself wronged in any matter by an officer or by a soldier, rating or an aircraft man, he may make a complaint concerning that matter to his Commanding Officer.”
However, while explaining that the soldier in her complaint didn’t follow the proper channel, Gen Onyema Nwachukwu further noted that “It is instructive to state that considering the gravity of the allegations, NA as a disciplined force will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
“It is crucial to point out that contrary to the claims made in the video, the soldier in question has not exhausted the laid down procedure for seeking redress in the NA.
“This is aside from Human Rights and Gender Desks established in Army Headquarters and across NA formations, where complaints about human rights and gender issues are also entertained.
“The NA remains a professional force that self-regulates and conducts its activities in adherence to established rules and ethics while upholding the highest standards of discipline amongst personnel.”
However, the army spokesperson, Gen Nwachukwu “encouraged all personnel to always utilize the established channels for addressing grievances and concerns as a member of a noble and disciplined force.
He assured the general public that the NA as an institution is committed to upholding the integrity and morals of its personnel and as such appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
“We urge the public to allow the investigative process to take its course and refrain from making hasty judgments. The NA remains dedicated to serving our nation with honour and integrity,” Gen Nwachukwu reiterated in his statement.
