The Nigerian Army has offered clothing and undisclosed amount of money as
succour to Mr Chijioke Orakwu, a physically challenged person, assaulted
by two military police officers in Onitsha for allegedly wearing army
camouflage.
Orakwu was manhandled by two soldiers on Feb. 7, at New Market Road,
Col. Sagir Musa, the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the
Nigerian Army, presented the item and cash on Friday.
Musa said that the Army would not condone acts of indiscipline or gross
misconduct by any member.
He said that the action of the soldiers did not reflect the attitude of
today’s soldiers under the leadership of Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
“Already, those who perpetrated the act have been arrested and tried, and
because of the seriousness of the offence, they have been referred to
higher authorities for further action.
“The Nigerian Army is seriously concerned about the incident.
“We want to assure Nigerians, particularly the international community
that the Nigerian Army has core values and respect for the rights of
people,” Musa said.
The army spokesman urged the public to view the case as an isolated one,
assuring that future assault similar to the Onitsha incident would be
treated with serious action.
He said the army volunteered to take Orakwu to hospital but that he
refused orthodox medication.
Musa added that the doctors, who examined him physically, confirmed him to
be physically fit.
The army spokesman emphasised that the items given to Orakwu were not to
compensate him but to show that the Nigerian Army cares and respect rights
of individuals.
“All we did was not an issue of compensation but to show Nigerians and the
international public that the Nigerian Army is disciplined, responsive and
responsible, and that we care,” he said.
The Army, he said, had warned against the abuse of military uniforms,
saying it remain its policy which the army holds in high esteem.
Also, the Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Idongesit
Akpan, assured that such incident would not repeat itself.
The representative of the state government, Dr Victoria Chikwelu,
expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Army in handling the case.
He said that Gov. Willie Obiano was not in doubt of what the Army would do
as regards the disciplinary measures against the perpetrators.
“Obiano has passion for the physically challenged and that is why he
appointed one of them as his Special Assistant and also built three
special skill acquisitions centres for their use,” Chikwelu said.
Chikwelu, who is the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social
Development, said that the state government had plans to also empower
Orakwu at a later date.
Responding, Orakwu, who expressed happiness, commended the army for the
kind gesture. (NAN)