BEVERLY HILLS, February 11, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army on Friday disclosed that it has demoted and imprisoned two soldiers caught in a video brutalising a crippled man in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The video of the manhandling of the physically-challenged person had gone viral on the internet after an onlooker recorded the incident and posted same on Facebook.
The Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, in a statement, gave the names of the soldiers who committed the act as Corporal Bature Samuel and Corporal Abdulazeez Usman who were attached to the 82 Provost Company.
“Sequel to the video clip of two soldiers maltreating a physically challenged man on the streets of Onitsha, Anambra State, last Tuesday, in line with our zero tolerance of infringement of human rights by troops, those involved have been arrested,” he said.
The Army spokesman went on to reveal that the soldiers were summarily tried based on two-count charges and found guilty.
The statement continued, “Consequently, both have been sentenced to reduction in rank; from Corporal to Private Soldiers and 21 days Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) respectively, which includes forfeiture of 21 days pay to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army has also reached out to the victim of their unjustifiable assault, Mr. Chijoke Uraku (alias CJ), as widely reported by the media.
“We wish to reiterate our avowed determination to ensure that troops conduct themselves in the most orderly and professional manner at all times. Any act of indiscipline would not be tolerated.”
