…SAYS “ACCOUNTABLE OFFICERS MUST BE RESPONSIBLE”
By Okosun Dennis
The Nigerian Navy, once again, has its hands full as a naval rating in a viral video accused the Commanding Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Dorina, Commander I. Aliyu, of threatening to throw him overboard.
Able Medical Assistant Simon K with Service Number: M/5476, resorted to social media (Facebook platform) to express his anger against the senior officer who allegedly failed to approve his application for voluntary retirement from the force.
He explained that he’s suffering from “mental health” purportedly orchestrated by a “pressing family situation.”
While calling on the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwul Zubairu Gambo, to come to his rescue over the persistent threats from his Commander and the S.O of the ship, he decided to go viral to tell the world about the pains he has been subjected to in an attempt to voluntarily exit the force.
Able Simon, who claimed to have tendered a formal application while serving on board NNS Pathfinder, said on a number of occasions, his request was ignored as the officer there failed to approve his application for processing. He was posted to NNS Dorina only to face similar maltreatment.
However, in his narration, he seems to have contradicted himself as he declared that he has finished at Oshodi – supposedly Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, NAFRC – a pre-retirement institution for members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
As designed by the Armed Forces, every military man admitted for the course would have had his application for voluntary retirement approved by the authority – depending on the arm – before proceeding to Oshodi for his/her six-month course.
The narration, therefore, has left questions begging for a response from Able Simon. Who approved his Oshodi pre-retirement course without formal approval of his voluntary application to leave the force in the first instance?
However, as heavy as that presents, it doesn’t obliterate the allegation against his Commander, hence it behooves the naval authority to investigate his allegation.
Without evidence or mentioning names, Able Simon further stated that going by the antecedents of the officer, a lot of Naval personnel have died on the job, “mostly water-related,” stressing that it is difficult to fathom the main course of such death.
“I have to scamper for safety by leaving my ship yesterday because it was that day Commander Aliyu threatened he was going to throw me overboard, ” he said.
Decrying the abysmal poor welfare of personnel on board NNS Dorina, he explained that despite that the CNS made adequate provision for their basic needs but they still buy “pure water and bottle” on board.
“If I am lying, I shouldn’t see tomorrow. In NNS Dorina, where I serve, we buy ordinary pure water and bottle to proceed on the sea. I know with your kind of officer, you have made good provisions to ensure personnel is well catered for but the reverse is the case. I wouldn’t blame you (CNS) and another person in higher authority,” he further stated.
Revealing that his wife also serves in the navy, Simon said three consecutive times she applied to leave the service, she was met with disapproval on the grounds that she has to complete 10 years before being granted retirement.
He averred that the cumulative effect of that laced with other family problems has stressed him out of proportion leading to his poor mental health conditions.
Expressing his unflinching commitment and loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the rating explained that despite misinterpretation that might occur due to his outburst, those he would have cried to are the same officers threatening his life.
“I am not disgruntled. I believe in Nigeria and this country is going to be great. I believe in the abilities of the CNS. I don’t believe you will sit and watch people – lower ranking officers – jeopardize your efforts.”
Simon, whose whereabouts are unknown, said he managed to escape from being thrown overboard by his CO, and called on Nigerians not to misconstrue his narration as a mere fable concocted but as speaking the “truth and not going contrary to discredit the Armed Forces.
“No, I am doing that to point out that people that are accountable must be responsible,” he said.
Although he boasted of having a lot of venoms to spit out, he decided to restrain himself for obvious reasons.
“I had to leave my ship since the Commanding Officer boasted he would throw him overboard. I can’t be stupid to stay and see how he executes his plans” hence the viral video became necessary.
“We only live once. I am not scared of death or whatever is going to come out as a result of the video but I am not going to die as a coward hence I’m saying my mind the way things are,” he boasted in the video.
He praised the CNS who he said has put in place policies that have touched the lives of officers and rating of the force, thereby raising personnel morale at all times.
Equally, Able Simon appealed to all and sundry to consider his plight and that of his colleagues suffering in the military.
When contacted, the Director of Information (DINFO), Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adedotun Olukayode Ayo-Vaughn said the officer is on the run currently.
He further explained that even though an investigation has begun, his actions constituted a violation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s Social Media regulations.
“It is condemnable, no matter the cause. I am in touch with the Commanding Officer of the ship.
The same officer had exhibited traits of instability, indiscipline, and unconfirmed mental health issues, he added.
“Investigations are ongoing in this respect and it is hoped, he will be apprehended.”
However, this is not the first time in history that a Naval personnel would resort to the instrumentality of social media to express his grievance and anger against his superior officer for certain maltreatment.
It would be recalled that a Naval Seaman, Haruna Goshit, in 2020 accused Rear Admiral Ishola Mohammed, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters of inhuman and degrading treatment he allegedly melted out on him necessitating the summon of the immediate past CNS, Vice Admiral Ette Ibok Ibas to appear before House Committee on Navy.
Goshit was them serving at Kacha as the Personal Security Orderly to the officer; and had in a viral video narrated how he was subjected to the most bizarre ill-treatment by the senior officer.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/nns-dorina-rating-accuses-commanding-officer-of-threat-to-life/
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