The Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, an apex Igbo socio-cultural group, on Friday condemned Lt. Chuka Anele for dehumanizing Ms. Ezeiruka Fidelis, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar.
The group described the action of Lt. Chuka Anele in the 13 Brigade, Calabar, as unprofessional.
The Igbo cultural organisation thanked the Nigerian Army for its quick response to the unfortunate incident.
The group said: ”The action is highly barbaric, unprofessional and unacceptable from an officer.
“Regrettably, the act has placed the integrity and public relations principles of the army before the Court of public conscience.
“In a democratic nation, the bar of expectation for the protection of fundamental rights of the citizen is sacrosanct and the demand even higher.
“No matter the height of provocation, Anele crossed the red line of decorum and decency expected of an officer of that level.
“We commend the quick intervention of the Brigade Commander who when his attention was drawn immediately instituted an investigation that led to the identification and possible arrest of the suspect.
”We are told that she will undergo regimental orders in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.”
Ohaneze also urged the Nigerian Army to use serious infractions like this to convince Nigerians of its determination to bring discipline into its rank and file.
“We are further pleased with the civility shown by the Nigerian Army in tendering an unreserved apology to the victim, her family members, friends, NYSC and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment to the corps member.
“The message is clear that better days of military and civilian mutual relationship has finally come,” the group maintained.
A video went viral on Thursday, showing Anele pouring dirty water and hitting a female corps member who was forced to kneel down while the act went on.
The Nigerian Army, through its spokesperson Brig.- Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, has since condemned the assault on the corps member.
The army further tendered an apology to the victim, her family members, friends, the NYSC and to Nigerians in general for the incident.
Nwachukwu also denied reports that the 13 Brigade where the incident happened attempted to cover up the matter, he said the army remains a professional force that has zero-tolerance for indiscipline amongst its personnel.
He said the Brigade Commander has since constituted an investigation into the ugly incident and the officer involved has been identified and sanctioned.
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