Nigerian Army Convicts And Jails Another Soldier For Brutalising Civilian
By Victor Ossong
A Nigerian soldier, Suleiman Olamilekan, has been jailed for molesting a civilian, the army has said.
Olamilekan, a private with 6 Division Garrison, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is to spend 28 days in prison with hard labour for beating up a woman, one Ebere Ohakwe on January 30, 2017.
The incident, which caused outrage on social media, occurred at Omagwa Checkpoint along Port Harcourt – Onitsha Road.
Zero tolerance to unprofessionalism
The convicted soldier is also to forfeit his salary to the federal government for the 28 days he would be spending behind bars.
Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Bori camp, Port Harcourt, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Excerpts:
“In accordance with the Nigerian Army’s policy of zero tolerance to unprofessional conduct as well as its uncompromising stance on discipline and commitment to the rule of law, 6 Division Nigerian Army has charged, tried and found Private Suleiman Olamilekan of 6 Division Garrison, Port Harcourt guilty of the maltreatment of Miss Ebere Ohakwe.
“He was accordingly sentenced to 28 days Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) and the forfeiture of his salary for same number of days to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“It would be recalled that there was a report in the social media that the soldier maltreated one Miss Ebere Ohakwe at Omagwa Checkpoint along Port Harcourt – Onitsha Road on 30th January 2017.
“This prompted the decision of the authorities of the Headquarters 6 Division to thoroughly investigate the matter with the view to serving justice adequately as required by the laws of the Nigerian Army.
“Consequently, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Enobong Okon Udoh ordered the immediate arrest of the soldier and his Guard Commander for investigation and disciplinary action.
“He also invited the victim to his office and assured her that the matter would not be treated lightly.
“We wish to assure the general public that proactive measures have been put in place to forestall a re-occurrence of such misconduct in the future.”
You will recall that the army, a few days ago, demoted two corporals to privates and imprisoned them for 21 days for assaulting a physically challenged person in Onitsha, Anambra State.
