In a very heartwarming move, the Nigerian Army recently announced that it had jailed one erring soldier, Suleiman Olamilekan, to 28 days with hard labour for allegedly assaulting a Nollywood actress, Ebere Ohakwe.
Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, the Army’s spokesman, 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, noted that the soldier would also forfeit his one month salary to the Federal Government, as the unprofessional conduct of the soldier contravened the Army’s uncompromising stance to indiscipline and disobedience to both civilian and military laws.
The soldier had allegedly assaulted the actress at a checkpoint along Port Harcourt-Owerri road in Rivers.
The actress, who was on transit from Port Harcourt to Onitsha, was beaten by the soldier who accused her of insulting him while inspecting the vehicle.
It is well known that policemen and soldiers, as well as other uniformed personnel, often beat up civilians for no just cause. This is unfortunate because we are supposed to be under a democratic government where fundamental human rights of citizens are respected by the government and its agencies.
There is no doubt that the punishment that the Army authorities have given to the erring soldier would serve as a deterrent to others. It is high time the men and officers of the Armed Forces learned to be civil and professional in their conduct. They should not assume that they are demigods because they are in uniform. They should remember that, one day, they would retire and leave the job which seems to give them so much power now.
Titi Afolabi
afolatitilayom@gmail.com
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