Army demotes, jails soldiers who brutalised physically-challenged man

The Nigerian army says it has demoted and imprisoned  two soldiers who brutalised a physically- challenged man in Onitsha, Anambra state.

A video clip where the soldiers beat up the man for wearing camouflage has since gone viral.

In a statement made available to TheCable on Friday, Sani Usman, director of army public relations, said the officers would forfeit 21 days pay.

“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; Corporal Bature Samuel and Corporal Abdulazeez Usman of 82 Provost Company, have been arrested, summarily tried based on 2 count charges and found guilty,” the statement read.

“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.”