Sexual assault: Buratai orders probe in Bama IDP camp

Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, has ordered investigation into alleged misconduct by soldiers at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Bama, Borno state.

Buratai gave the order less than 24 hours after TheCable published a report on the plights of some female IDPs.

The women had accused some soldiers and members of civilian JTF, a local vigilance group, of demanding sex in exchange for favours.

They also said some of their husbands were being detained in military barracks and Maiduguri maximum prison “for offences they did not commit”.

The aggrieved women wrote a petition to the national assembly, seeking the intervention of federal lawmakers.

However, on Monday, Buratai said though the allegations had not been substantiated, a thorough investigation should be carried out.

He said under his watch, the army would not condone indiscipline.

“The Nigerian army has noted with great concern growing allegations of misconduct against some persons on security duties at internally displaced persons’ camp in Bama, Borno state,” Sani Usman, spokesman of the army, said in a statement.

“We would like to state that Nigerian Army personnel have been doing their best in bringing peace and security in various parts of the country especially in the north-east, any act of misconduct could negatively impact on these good works.

“Although these allegations are unsubstantiated, the chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has today directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated by both the director military intelligence and provost marshal (army).

“We would like to reiterate that the Nigerian army has zero tolerance for any misconduct among its officers and soldiers especially those that are trusted with onerous responsibility of guarding and securing those internally displaced persons’ camps. Anyone found culpable, would be severely dealt with.

“We would like to enjoin the public to please take advantage of the newly established Nigerian Army information and call Centre to report any such issue and other security concern by calling the short code 193 using any of the telecommunication service providers in Nigeria or through email [email protected].