The Nigerian military has reacted to a photo published on the front page of Daily Trust newspaper today which showed a soldier torturing a man in Mararaba, Nassarawa state over the weekend. According to a statement by the army, the soldiers have been identified and will face disciplinary actions. The army press statement below...
The attention of Nigerian Army has been drawn to a front page photograph of some soldiers maltreating a suspected robber at Mararraba, Nasarawa State, on the front page of today’s edition of Daily Trust newspaper. Sadly, it is also trending on the Social Media. There is no doubt the photograph has done incalculable damage to the image of the service. The act was unfortunate and at variance with military ethics and professionalism.
The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public that the perpetrators of the offence have been identified, summoned and would face disciplinary action. The Nigerian Army has also reached out to the management of the newspaper over this poor and worrisome editorial judgement by giving this misdemeanor prominence in their paper. Alerting appropriate Nigerian Army authorities would have been a better option that will be met with prompt response. We wish to assure the public that the Nigerian Army would continue to protect and respect human rights and that this regrettable incidence should not be used as a yardstick to judge the entire Army.
Thank you. Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman Acting Director Army Public Relations
