Update: Army Arrests Soldiers Who Beat Handicapped Man
The Nigerian Army says it has identified and arrested the two soldiers who brutalised a crippled man in New Market Road, Onitsha.
The officers were shown dragging the handicapped man in a video that went viral and sparked lots of condemnation and outrage.
The army, in a statement released on Wednesday, disclosed that the offending soldiers have been arrested and charged by their commanding officer.
WATCH VIDEO: Handicapped man dragged and beaten by two army officers.
Brig.Gen. Sani Usman, The Director, Army Public Relations, who released the statement said the army’s attention was drawn to the video clip and immediately set to laying hands on the culprits.
He implored the public to not make hasty generalisations as the actions of the two soldiers were an aberration and not representative of the attitude of members of the Nigerian army.
He said, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a video clip in which two soldiers were seen maltreating a physically challenged person for allegedly wearing a camouflage shirt.
“We wish to inform the public that the incident took place on Tuesday 7th February 2017, at Onitsha, Anambra State.
“In line with our zero tolerance for acts of indiscipline and unprofessional conducts especially in relation to violation of human rights, we wish to further state that the soldiers involved have since been identified and apprehended.
“They have also been charged for assault by their Commanding Officer. Similarly, troops have been warned to desist from such acts that infringe on human rights and cast serious aspersions on the good image of the Nigerian Army.
“The public should please regard this ugly incident as an isolated case which is not true reflection of the Nigerian Army.”
The information was also confirmed on Nigerian army official twitter handle.
SOLDIERS THAT MOLESTED PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSON HAVE BEEN APPREHENDEDhttps://t.co/FbhWH6rXzH
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) February 9, 2017
The names of the officers and their rank are, however, yet to be released.
