One incident that would forever be etched on the mind of a youth corps member, Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia from her National Youth Service year is the inhumane treatment meted on her by a female army officer, Lt. Chika Viola Anele.
For alledgedly having an argument with the military personnel of the Nigerian Army, Chika Viola Anele, bathed the corper with an unknown substance.
According to Journalist Agba Jalingo, who shared the video, Lt. Chika Viola Anele, was seen on video punishing a member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
CASEFILE however gathered that the incident happened at the 13 Brigade headquarters in Calabar, Cross River State.
Meanwhile the principal of the military officer has condemned the actions of the officer.
Through Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army, NA, said the act is not only condemnable, but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA.
It said the NA has remained undoubtedly the pride of the nation, a symbol of national unity that has consistently being 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.
It added that the officer’s actions have 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.
Hinting the public on the actions taken so far, NA explained that the ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar. The Brigade Commander immediately 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.
It refuted the allegation that the army was trying to cover up the incident as misleading, as it claimed that the NA remains a professional force that has zero tolerance for indiscipline amongst its personnel.
Hence, the NA reiterated and assured the general public that such infractions would not be tolerated from its personnel.
The NA also reassured that the rights of the citizenry is sacrosanct and must be respected by all personnel of the NA, as any form of infraction will be severely dealt with.
Further, Brigadier Nwachukwu urged the general public to continue to report such infractions, so that its Human Rights Desks in all formations of the NA could deal decisively with erring personnel.
The NA further tendered 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.
