Dehumanising Corps member unacceptable, unprofessional says Nigerian Army, apologises - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Army (NA) has condemned the officer dehumanising a corps member in a viral video, describing it as unacceptable and unprofessional, even apologised to the victim, reports ITREALMS.

Lt Chika and Corper Ifenyinwa

The Nigerian Army (NA) through the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu informed ITREALMS in a press statement that they have taken cognizance of a video clip currently making the rounds on the social media, where a female officer was seen dehumanizing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar, Cross River State.
ITREALMS gathered the commissioned female Army Officer, Lt. Chika Viola Anele, was seen in the video pouring water on a youth corp member, Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia, who is serving at the 13 Brigade headquarters in Calabar after a reported argument.

According to Brigadier-General Nwachukwu, this act is not only condemnable, but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA. Insisting that NA has remained undoubtedly the pride of the nation, a symbol of national unity that has consistently been in the vanguard of respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry.

"It is against this premise that the NA condemns this unimaginable level of infraction by a personnel in its ranks. The NA therefore, condemns in strong terms, this act of gross misconduct. Undoubtedly, the officer's actions has caused the NA monumental embarrassment and is highly regrettable. This unfortunate act of indiscipline does not in anyway represent the NA and will not be condoned in its entirety," he said.

ITREALMS gathered that the ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar and the Brigade Commander has since instituted an investigation and the officer involved has been identified and sanctioned on the interim and would be made to undergo regimental orders (trial) in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.

Nwachukwu equally denied any attempt by the Brigade to cover up this unprofessional conduct, saying that any report in the contrary was therefore misleading, as the NA remains a professional force that has zero tolerance for indiscipline amongst its personnel.

"The NA wishes to reiterate and assure the general public that such infractions would not be tolerated from its personnel," he said.

NA, he said, reassures on the rights of the citizenry as sacrosanct and must be respected by all personnel, as any form of infraction will be severely dealt with.

He enjoined the public to continue to report such infractions, as Human Rights Desks in all formations of the NA are emplaced to deal decisively with such erring personnel.

The NA further wishes to tender unreserved apology to the victim, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment meted out to the Corps member.

Remmy Nweke/DoP