Military Brutality in Nigeria against civilians

[Richard Akindele]

[b]Due to the many years of military misadventure in our body polity, democratic ideals and civility are wanting in the psyche of an average Nigerian soldier, who generally treats civilians with disdain and disgust.[/b]

WITH the enthronement of democracy and the consequent emergence of democratic institutions at different levels on May 29, 1999, many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief, basking in as it were, a euphoria, that the infamous era of wanton brutality, bare-faced lawlessness, gun-totting and flagrant disregard for human rights, et al, has finally been laid to rest and civil-military relations would be enhanced and sustained by the constitutionally established democratic structures.

Sadly however, due to the many years of military misadventure in our body polity, democratic ideals and civility are wanting in the psyche of an average Nigerian soldier, who generally treats civilians with disdain and disgust. It will not be out of place to say that the ghost of the past has again reared its ugly head, clanking its medieval claims to irreparable injustice in our nascent democratic Nigeria.

Friday April 14, 2006, was "Good Friday", but for Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts and her daughter, there was nothing good about the Friday, as the horrific memories of that day would indelibly be etched in their minds. Prior to this day there has been a series of events which culminated in the ignoble acts of oppression, rights encroachment, brutality and terror. In the interest of justice and for posterity sake, it is imperative to set out the facts.

Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, is the CEO of Focus Beverages Limited, the beneficial owner of House No. 40, Second Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, originally owned by Nigeria Airways and bought by Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, on behalf of her company from Babington Ashaye & Co., the official liquidators of Nigeria Airways.

Having paid, it is indubitably just to take possession, which it did after a cumbersome process of ejecting its former occupant. Shortly after taking possession, one CoI. U.M. Mohammed of the Nigerian Army, forcefully entered and took possession of the property by displacing the civilian guards and replacing them with stern looking armed soldiers.

All efforts to stop these illegal acts of trespass and unjustified oppression were met with stiff resistance. The property is currently undergoing renovation and reconstruction under the cover of military protection.

In her quest for justice, Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, herself and through her Solicitors had caused several petitions to be written, appealing to the Chief of Army Staff, and copied to The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army Military Intelligence, the G.O.C., 81 DIV Nigerian Army, Nigerian Army Military Police, and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to take decisive measures in stemming the tide of the continued inequity. Sadly however, no positive step has been taken by the authorities to remedy the wrong.

Friday April 14, 2006, marked the peak of the injustice, blatant disregard of human rights and the ignoble act of man's inhumanity and insensitivity to man. On that fateful day, Mrs. Roberts, in company of her daughter, had gone to inspect the state of affairs of the said property, when the armed soldiers stationed at the premises accosted them, and for no obvious cause, brazenly leashing out, with neither caution, nor discretion, pity, nor respect for the physiological composItion of Mrs. Roberts, gave her the beating of her life, in the presence of her perplexed daughter.

In carrying out their act, the soldiers employed the use of sticks, gun butts, belts, horsewhips and service boots to inflict a myriad of painful wounds on their hapless victim.

It took the concerted efforts of concerned bystanders, who intervened, to avert what could have resulted to another needless loss of life. Even after doing so much damage, the guards further threatened to shoot the woman and her daughter both of whom hurriedly scampered for their dear lives. Mrs. Roberts has since been receiving medical attention to contain any internal injuries which may be the direct consequences of the indecorous act of the soldiers.

We implore the military authorities, to look into this unfortunate incidence.

Source: Vanguard.