The Nigerian Army has ordered an investigation into the brutality of civilians Mr Vershima Mker and Ms Lami Jennifer Iorvihi by Major General G.S. Mohammed, Corporal A. Abubakar and others for overtaking the Army vehicle in Abuja on Tuesday.
In a petition filed through their counsel, Tom Uja & Co., the couple who were visiting relatives in Abuja said they were handcuffed, shoved into the trunk of a vehicle, and transported to the Gwarinpa Police Station and ordered to be detained indefinitely until the Major General gives instructions for their release.
It demands the immediate dismissal of the Senior Army officer and his aide for the inhumane treatment and illegal detention of over 8 hours. It also demanded a N150 million compensation.
Part of the petition reads; “Iorvihi on whose full and firm instructions we demand the immediate dismissal of Major General G.S. Mohammed and Corporal A. Abubakar and the sum of N150 million for their inhuman treatment of our clients by beating, subjecting them to abuse, wounding and causing them to be detained at the Police without they committing any known crime.
“Our clients are university graduates who are intending to get married soon and as part of their preparations, were in Gwarinpa vising with relations and intending guests.”
In a statement by Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army Director of Public Relations on Wednesday, it stated that the circumstances leading to the altercations are not clear enough and so will be investigated.
The statement reads; “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a viral audio-visual recording circulating on social media platforms, purportedly showing a senior Army officer and 2 other soldiers in an altercation with a man and woman within the Abuja metropolis.
The circumstances leading to this incident are not clear at the moment. However, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the true circumstances surrounding this altercation. The NA remains committed to serving and protecting all law-abiding Nigerians as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, we urge the public to be rest assured that due diligence will be applied to reach a logical conclusion on this matter.”
