The Nigerian Army has issued a statement in reaction to the alleged assault case involving a Nigerian lady identified as Ruth Orji.
Recall that Ruth Orji was allegedly assaulted by men of the Nigerian Army attached to the 174 Battalion, Ikorodu, around 8:30pm on Sunday.
Ruth Orji who sustained severe injuries from the attack carried out in Ikorodu, Lagos State was reported to have been attacked after she challenged a soldier who slapped her brother for no reason.
Ruth Orji has however sued the Nigerian Army and her attackers, among other things in a N250 million lawsuit.
The Nigerian Army has issued a statement which reads:
ALLEGED CASE OF BRUTALIZATION BY SOLDIERS
1. The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to the social media and Newspapers online reports on “Alleged brutalization of a female by soldiers”. The incident occurred in Odoguyan, Ikorodu area of Lagos state involving soldiers of 174 Battalion on Sunday 12 March 2017
2. The alleged incident is highly regrettable, even as the Division under the Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for inhuman treatment. Discipline remains the bedrock of the Nigerian Military Profession. It is quite disheartening when such incidences occur even though isolated will not be treated with any laxity.
Consequently, a Board of Inquiry has been constituted by the Commander 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Elias Attu to investigate the circumstances that led to the incident, determine the level of the soldiers involvement, submit its findings and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures which will be communicated.
The female has been taken to hospital where she is responding to treatment while 6 soldiers are being detained in regards to the incident.
Gentlemen of the press, may I thank you for your timely information in bringing such incidences to fore. The Division remains committed to its tasks as part of the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army.
It continues to enjoin all to be law abiding and count on their support and cooperation.
You are please requested to disseminate the information to the general public.
OM DAUDU
Lieutenant Colonel
Ag Deputy Director Army Public Relations
Lieutenant Colonel
Ag Deputy Director Army Public Relations
