The Nigerian Army has roundly condemned the reported action of one Lt Viola Chika Anele who was caught on video bathing a corps member Ezeiruka Fidelis at a military barracks in Calabar ,Cross River State. Reports had it the said officer went gaga after an argument with the victim and meted out inhuman treatments on her.

The Nigerian Army, NA, has reportedly taken cognizance of the said 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. According to a press release issued and made available online by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, a Major General,said inter alia that “This act is not only condemnable, but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA.”

Nwachukwu averred that “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. Undoubtedly, the officer’s actions has caused the NA monumental embarrassment and is highly regrettable.”. He added that “This unfortunate act of indiscipline does not in anyway represent the NA and will not be condoned in its entirety. ”

However,the release was silent on the identity of the errant officer.

The said ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar where the Brigade Commander had immediately instituted an investigation and the officer involved has been identified and sanctioned on the interim and would be made to undergo regimental orders,that trial, in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act. The ADPRO described as misleading the submission that the Brigade had attempted covering up , “as the NA remains a professional force that has zero tolerance for indiscipline amongst its personnel.”

The Army reiterated and assured the general public that such infractions would not be tolerated from its personnel pledging also 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.”

The Army spokesman therefore, enjoined the general public 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 Army tendered unreserved apology to the victim whose name the release did not mention, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment meted out to the Corps member.