The Nigerian army has called on members of the public to alert the army authority anytime they see a soilder misbehaving in public. This according to the army authority is in a bid to stop the recklessness of soldiers in the country.
In the same vein, the army also dismissed Ayodeji Sunday a lance corporal attached to the Nigerian army workshop Ikeja over his alleged misdemeanor when he flouted the state traffic law last week Thursday.
Mr. Ayodeji was reportedly involved in a fracas with officers of the Lagos state traffic management authority and the task force on the environment when he was stopped by the officers for plying the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) Lane reserved for state owned buses.
Mr Ayodeji was consequently court marshaled and dismissed from the Nigerian army after he has been found guilty of the misdemeanor.
Mr Ayodeji was consequently court marshaled and dismissed from the Nigerian army after he has been found guilty of the misdemeanor.
The army authority also handed him over to the officers of the Lagos task force on the environment for prosecution.
Kenneth Minimah, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigeria Army, said the army will not tolerate any indiscipline from his officers as the dismissal of the erring officer will serve as a deterrent to others who would want to take the laws into their hands.
“The Nigerian army is a human organization and we have human beings as soldiers. As human beings, we have our share of black eggs. It is not a perfect organization and no other organization is perfect either. We would pursue better civil\military relations to its logical end and as it is required by the books.
Kenneth Minimah, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigeria Army, said the army will not tolerate any indiscipline from his officers as the dismissal of the erring officer will serve as a deterrent to others who would want to take the laws into their hands.
“The Nigerian army is a human organization and we have human beings as soldiers. As human beings, we have our share of black eggs. It is not a perfect organization and no other organization is perfect either. We would pursue better civil\military relations to its logical end and as it is required by the books.
When we at the hierarchy means good for the system, there are some too at the lower cadre who do not portend good for the system. The soldier who was involved in the BRT offence the other day has been dismissed from service and he would eventually be handed over to the Lagos State task force for prosecution.” Mr. Minimah , a Major General said .
Mr. Minimah advised officers to abide by all civil laws as the army uniform should not be used for reckless behaviour by officers.
“That is a far-reaching warning for others who may want to take the law into their hands and breach the laws of the state, we will not condone that. The Nigerian Army is a professional organization. Whoever disobeys the laws of Lagos State would be dealt with appropriately irrespective of who you are or where you belong. The Nigeria Army is subordinate to the constitution of Nigeria and the State laws.” Mr. Minimah said.
“That is a far-reaching warning for others who may want to take the law into their hands and breach the laws of the state, we will not condone that. The Nigerian Army is a professional organization. Whoever disobeys the laws of Lagos State would be dealt with appropriately irrespective of who you are or where you belong. The Nigeria Army is subordinate to the constitution of Nigeria and the State laws.” Mr. Minimah said.
Mr. Minimah also warned the army officers to desist from escorting vehicles and engaging in illegal duties adding that a unit has been set up to monitor and arrest such erring officers.
“We have “Operation Checkmate” for soldiers who indulge in inappropriate vocations. Although not all of them are soldiers but I cannot absolve the fact that some of them are soldiers, so we would continue to work towards putting an end to that.”
General Minimah said they have sent their investigation report to the Nigeria Airforce to take action on one of the co-culprit in the fraca identified as Bada Adenuga, a warrant officer .
“We have “Operation Checkmate” for soldiers who indulge in inappropriate vocations. Although not all of them are soldiers but I cannot absolve the fact that some of them are soldiers, so we would continue to work towards putting an end to that.”
General Minimah said they have sent their investigation report to the Nigeria Airforce to take action on one of the co-culprit in the fraca identified as Bada Adenuga, a warrant officer .
Mr. Ayodeji and another soldier identified as Markprr Dominic also a lance corporal on Thursday last week fought with the officers of LASTMA and Lagos State task Force on the environment and special offences unit over the soldier’s use of the (BRT) Lane. The LASTMA officers attempted to toll the soldier’s vehicle , a move the soldier rejected ;It took the intervention of Sanusi Muazu , the commandant of the 9th Brigade cantonment Ikeja , who promptly arrived the scene of the clash at Obanikoro bus stop to quell the fight and prevent bloodletting.
A similar incident happened on May 22th at Badagry area of the state, when police officers attached to the state outfit, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) allegedly killed an army officer identified as staff sergeant Kuti Maku of the 242 Recce battalion at a check point in Badagry.
, Mr. kuku’s death prompted officers of the barracks to retaliate by killing and kidnapping police officers and in their quest for jungle justice, they killed three key police officers of the Badagry police station; Salisu Suleiman, a chief superintendent of police and the Divisional police officers of the Badagry police station, the soldiers also murdered Samson Okedusi a deputy superintendent of police and the division crime officer; Toefeek Afolabi , an assistant superintendent of police who was in the company of the DPO and the DCO on a mission to the barracks to broker peace was also murdered .
Mr Minimah urged members of the public to call the Nigerian Army if they see any soldier misbehaving in public.
Mr Minimah urged members of the public to call the Nigerian Army if they see any soldier misbehaving in public.
He gave the phone numbers to contact as ;the Commander 9th Brigade cantonment Ikeja – 08023101918, Commander 81 Division Intelligence Group – 08065004611, Commander 81 Division Provost Group – 08033112845 and any of OPERATION MESA lines – 08036861232, 08028066921, 08088821270, 08034335582, 07035980644, 08036805571, 070369669291, 07033182019, 08036622830, 08061117947, 08065666611, 07036026437 and 08028341852.He said.
