The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has declared thorough investigation relating to the incident that happened at Command Secondary School in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State.
Earlier, according to SaharaReporters, the Ministry of Defence’s civilian staff, under the Joint Executive Council momentrily shut down the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The closure was to avoid unwarranted protest and further violence against the victims nor retaliation.
The brutalising of civilians at the command forced the actions. Problem began when soldiers lost control of their emotions and descended on civilians working at the command secondary school.
The victim was an assistant director from the ministry, who was confronted by soldiers who obviously disregarded civil service rules.
The army chief, Lagbaja directed the Provost Marshal (Army) to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations of soldiers brutalising civilians.
Nigerian soldiers have formed a troublesome habit of britalizlsing civilians. Often, many cases are swept under the carpet, leaving victims without justice and giving reckless soldiers impetus.
But each time such incident is recorded on social media, the military leadership of the country tends to react.
This time, the army has been urged to step up investigation and bring to book the reckless soldiers that brutalised a civil servant at the school.
The probe into the brutalization was sanctioned after the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria raised concern and vowed to act in accordance with the law.
Parts of the press statement mandating an investigation said.
“The Chief of Army Staff , in his unwavering commitment to upholding the rights of all personnel, including the civilian staff, has directed the Provost Marshal (Army) to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the unfortunate incident at the Command Secondary School Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. The investigation will comprehensively address all allegations raised by the ASCSN, with a focus on ensuring accountability and justice for all parties involved.
The Nigerian Army (NA) recognizes the vital role that civilian staff play in supporting its operations and day to day administration and is therefore dedicated to fostering a positive and respectful working environment for all personnel. While acknowledging that misunderstandings or miscommunication may occur, the ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future”
Nigerian army has barely in the past punished a soldier or soldiers for brutalising civilians.
Most newly recruited soldiers find brutalising civilians as part of their job. In the past, videos of soldiers boasting and threatening to deal with civilians have flooded social media.
While investigation is ongoing, it is important to understand that the main reason for this investigation as announced is to meet or address the concerns of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria.
In the press statement, the Nigerian military establishment didn’t indicate the investigation is to stop further occurrence.
Civilians have been relegated by soldiers in the country, often regarded or addressed by “bloody civilians” soldiers see brutalization of civilians as normal practice.
It’s yet to be seen what will come out of the investigation, but for now, the mandate has been given.
