The Nigerian army, Wednesday evening, said it has arrested two soldiers who brutalised a physically challenged man in Onitsha for allegedly wearing a military camouflage shirt.
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman said the two soldiers have equally been charged forassault by their Commanding Officer.
The army however enjoined the general public to regard the incident as an isolated case which does not reflect the true image of the Nigerian Army.
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a video clip in which two soldiers were seen maltreating a physically challenged person for allegedly wearing a camouflage shirt.”“We wish to inform the public that the incident took place on Tuesday 7th February 2017, at Onitsha, Anambra State.
“In line with our zero tolerance for acts of indiscipline and unprofessional conducts especially in relation to violation of human rights, we wish to further state that the soldiers involved have since been identified and apprehended.”
“They have also been charged for assault by their Commanding Officer.”
“Similarly, troops have been warned to desist from such acts that infringe on human rights and cast serious aspersions on the good image of the Nigerian Army.”
“The public should please regard this ugly incident as an isolated case which is not true reflection of the Nigerian Army.”
“Thank you for your kind cooperation.”Recall also that in the clip, the two soldiers were seen dragging the crippled man on the ground while lashing him severally withcanes. They equally took the crippled man’s wheelchair, threw it away and then descended on him while the civilians looked on helplessly.
Update
True to their promise on Thursday, officers of the 302 artillery regiment of the Nigerian army have finally met the physically challenged man who was beaten and dragged on the floor by two soldiers for wearing a military fatigue in Onitsha, South east Nigeria.
This comes after his attackers were summoned to face a court martial in Enugu, the Punch newspaper is reporting.
The disabled man, who has been identified as Chijioke Uraku, a native of Ikwo in Ebonyi state, was at the 302 Artillery Regiment in Onitsha on Friday where he was given cash gift and assorted clothes by officers of the regiment.
According to a Facebook post by Abuchi Onwumelu, a reporter for Fides newspaper in Anambra State, Uraku was met by the commander of the 302 artillery regiment, Col, Idongesit Akpan and the Deputy Director, Public Relation of the Nigerian Army, Col. Musa Sagir.
The officers also held a press conference where they stated that the soldiers who molested and beat up the physically challenged man have been apprehended and will face disciplinary actions.
More details later.
Below are the pictures taken during the meeting.
Photo Credit: Abuchi Onwumelu, Fides newspaper.
