Six Nigerian soldiers have been arrested and detained for allegedly brutalizing a woman in Ikorodu area of Lagos state.

 

We had earlier reported that the woman identified as Ruth Orji was allegedly attacked by soldiers attached to 174 Battalion, Ikorodu, around 8:30pm on Sunday leaving her with horrible injuries. Joint Legal Action Aids, the rights group representing her, has demanded N250 million compensation and punishment meted out to the soldiers.

 

The army has reacted to the story in a press statement by Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel OM Daudu.

 

Here is the press release:

 

ALLEGED CASE OF BRUTALLIZATION BY SOLDIERS

 

1. The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to the social media and Newspapers online reports on “Alleged brutalization of a female by soldiers”.

 

The incident occurred in Odoguyan, Ikorodu area of Lagos state involving soldiers of 174 Battalion on Sunday 12 March 2017.

 

 

2. The alleged incident is highly regrettable, even as the Division under the Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for inhuman treatment. Discipline remains the bedrock of the Nigerian Military Profession. It is quite disheartening when such incidences occur even though isolated will not be  treated with any laxity.

 

3. Consequently, a Board of Inquiry has been constituted by the Commander 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Elias Attu to investigate the circumstances that led to the incident, determine the level of the soldiers involvement, submit its findings and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures which will be communicated. The female has been taken to hospital where she is responding to treatment while 6 soldiers are being detained in regards to the incident.

 

4. Gentlemen of the press, may I thank you for your timely information in bringing such incidences to fore. The Division remains committed to its tasks as part of the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army. It continues to enjoin all to be law abiding and count on their support and cooperation.

 

 

5. You are please requested to disseminate the information to the general public.