Army condemns officer’s unprofessional manhandling of corps member

Etim Ekpimah

The Nigerian Army has condemned what it described as an ‘act of gross misconduct by a female officer, Lt. Chika Viola Anele, was seen on a viral video pouring chemical on a youth corps member, Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday, the army said the officer’s actions has caused the army unprecedented embarrassment.

“The Nigerian Army (NA) has 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. This act is not only condemnable but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA.

“The 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 an infraction by personnel in its ranks. The NA, therefore, condemns in strong terms, this act of gross misconduct. Undoubtedly, the officer’s actions have caused the NA monumental embarrassment and is highly regrettable. This unfortunate act of indiscipline does not in any way represent the NA and will not be condoned in its entirety.

“For the records, the ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar. The Brigade Commander immediately instituted an investigation and the officer involved has been identified and sanctioned in the interim and would be made to undergo regimental orders (trial) in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act. The submission that the Brigade attempted covering up 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 public that such infractions would not be tolerated by its personnel.

“The NA also reassures that the rights of the citizenry are sacrosanct and must be respected by all personnel of the NA, as any form of infraction will be severely dealt with.

“Therefore, the general public is enjoined 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 statement added.

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