The Nigerian Army has detained a soldier Christopher Emmanuel, who allegedly assaulted a female vendor, Doshima, in Kula, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue state, while a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Penpushing reports that the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Abdullahi Osabo, made this known in a statement confirming that the private soldier was has been taken into custody.
The Acting Assistant Director said the headquarters of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) took cognisance of the incident, which occurred on May 6, 2025 and was reported on May 8, 2025, adding that the incident might have stemmed from a dispute over an unpaid debt, with allegations suggesting that the soldier claimed the woman insulted him during a phone conversation.
Penpushing further reports that Osabo stated that it was alleged that this confrontation may have escalated into a physical altercation, which is now under investigation, stressing that the authority has zero tolerance for human rights abuses.
“Private Christopher Emmanuel is currently in custody, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for human rights abuses and will take disciplinary action based on findings of the investigation’, he said.
‘The leadership of the Nigerian Army assures the general public and the victim that justice will be served in line with the military’s high standards. OPWS strongly condemns any form of indiscipline or human rights abuse by its personnel’, he added.
Penpushing reports that Osabo, however, urged members of the public to report any instances of abuse by Nigerian Army personnel to the Human Rights Desk helpline instead of using social media.
The Acting Assistant Director gave the assurance that all reports of infractions by army personnel were viewed seriously and investigated, and sanctions were applied where personnel were found culpable.
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