On Nigerian soldiers and the khakistocracy of violence

ONLY God knows from which law Nigerian soldiers derive their effrontery and fondness for  beating Nigerian citizens. It is certainly not under Nigerian law, for no provision of the law exists that expressly permits the use of force on an innocent unarmed citizen by a soldier of the Nigerian Army.  It has become common to witness a matter between a civilian and a soldier, a matter meant for court as disputes are adjudicated by the court. Surprisingly, in the blink of an eye, the soldier mobilises his fellow officers to descend violence on the innocent Nigerian citizen. This has become an accepted norm. Thus, people run from the military believing it permissible for them to use violence on innocent citizens. In Chief (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti & ors vs Attorney General Federation and ors, it was held that the government can be liable for the action of its servants. I watched the trending video (amidst several other similar videos of military brutality) where a man approached a female soldier and said “you’re beautiful Ma”. The officer asked the man to kneel down and she and her colleagues started slapping him in turns. “How can you tell Oga she is beautiful?”. Heavy beating descended on the poor man. Is it an offence to admire or commend a female soldier?

There is another trending video where a female soldier was pouring a substance on the head of a youth service corper, as punishment. The full details of that video are yet to be disclosed. Soldiers are maintained and trained with the taxation system that accrues from the work of civilians. This means in essence that a soldier is an employee of the civilian. He is only paid by the government but the money is gotten from tax. Tax is derived from the work and livelihood of civilians. The Nigerian Army has succeeded more in terrifying Nigerians than in protecting them. Their results in the North East show they are not as strong as they seem to civilians when they get to warfare. Military Zone, Keep Off! There have been instances where they allegedly acquired land through illegal means and once they erect a warning signboard, civilians who are owners of the land abandon it for a soldier who has only used his position to scare them away. They have action in court that they can take up but they do not want to dare the army man. They leave the case and their property!

A civilian is in love with a lady and a soldier is also interested. The civilian pulls out of the contest fearing for his life and for being beaten in what is supposed to be a free-contest of love where the lady decides. Once the man hears “soldier dey toast am”. He runs! Military men arrive in a canteen to buy food or a bar to drink and suddenly the civilians are intimidated. They begin to leave the place, fearing violence. The appearance of their uniform alone causes a fear that is unnecessary! They are paid and maintained by the work and livelihood of ordinary people who they should protect and serve. Not bully and intimidate. The citizen should be informed of his right! There are several instances of bullying and repression from officers of the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army Headquarters has taken cognisance of the fact that some soldiers go out of the line of duty to beat innocent civilians and the Headquarters has released lines-to-call while reporting erring officers. This is not enough! There should be an instruction issued to all officers “the nigerian citizen pays your salary, do not beat, harass or touch any citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. The Nigerian soldier needs to learn his place. His place is at the front of battle. Not at home taking peoples’ land and erecting “Military Zone, Keep Off.”

Not in the bar buying bottles and scaring civilians away. Not with the lady intimidating her to love him when she does not. Not scaring lovers away by harassing them. Not beating people with whom they have dispute of any sort.  A soldier again, is a person who was trained to fight for the civilian and not against the civilian. There must be proper channels to report and discipline erring officers who fail to hear. There must be punishment for those who are due for it.

• Koye-Ladele writes in from Ibadan.

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