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By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Lcpl Samuel P |
Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu, a veteran and Ojo Local Government chairman aspirant has condemned the act of Lt. B Muhammed, a Nigeria Army officer from the 93Bn Taraba, who brutaly assaulted and inflicted injuries on Lcpl. Samuel P, who arrived assembly point late on January 12, 2025, when the officers were scheduled to be moved to Jalingo, Taraba State capital for arm forces remembrance day.
Thw soldiers were asked to assemble by 7:30, to go to Jalingo for arm forces remembrance day parade, which Samuel got there by 7:50. Officer Muhammed told him to come back after dropping his bag in the vehicle. While dropping his bag, he met the adjutant of the battalion, who told him to enter the bus. Samuel told the adjutant, an officer told him to come, but adjutant insisted and ordered him to seat in the bus.
LT B Muhammed, seing Samuel seated inside the buss, asked him to come down and that he should start frog jumping. Which he did and also explained to Muhammed that he is not strong and that he is on medication. Despite that an officer pleaded on his behalf, Muhammed did not let him go, The adjutant then pleaded that the officer should let him go, as Samuel was about to leave, Muhammed began beating him, causing him to sustain various injuries..
Olumayowa, in his statement said, "it is clear that other ranks, ratings, and airmen are treated as slaves brought from the Republic of Benin, Togo, and other countries as illegal migrants to serve commissioned officers.
"Just as if the financial constraints they go through is not enough, Nigerian soldiers go through emotional torture and dehumanisation beyond thought or imagination.
"Some of us left due to such experiences of brazen slavery and ill-treatments. You will continue to wonder why Nigerian soldiers are frequently found guilty of serious violations of human rights," he said.
"The act of brutality by officers of the Nigerian army to soldiers has been normalised in the armed forces over the years, which was the reason why many soldiers left the job to avoid continuous intimidation, oppression, and impunity from officers. We condemned the inhumane treatment of soldiers as slaves in their own country and barracks in the strongest possible term. The act of impunity must stop. Soldiers' lives seem worthless to officers, and it demoralised the soldiers even on the battlefield.
"I call on the chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Jimi Benson, the Defence Headquarters of Nigeria, the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, to address this issue as soon as possible. This is condemnable and unacceptable," he said.