NA commences investigation into soldiers’ protest at detention facility in Sokoto

The Nigerian Army said it has instituted an appropriate investigation to determine the authenticity of allegations made in a viral audiovisual recording circulating on social media, produced by some personnel in custody at the 8 Division Garrison detention facility in Sokoto,

Newspot recalls that detained soldiers at the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto broke out from their guardroom clamouring for better food and improved living conditions.

Reacting on Saturday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement, while regretting the incident, warned that the service would not condone the manner the inmates expressed their purported grievance.

He said “Mutiny and conduct prejudicial to service order are grievous misconducts, and this very incident epitomises such.

” As such, the Army, on the one side, goes ahead to implement the COAS directive to look into the state of all NA detention facilities, as detainees’ lives also matter, the Service shall not shy away from appropriately sanctioning the soldiers involved in the unruly behaviour in its Sokoto detention facility for failing to exhaust all available options to channel their complaints to the appropriate authorities,” it said

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According to him, if it was discovered they did and nothing was done, necessary administrative actions would be taken against anyone found to have failed to discharge his/her duties effectively.

“While the Service is mindful of its subjective oversight engagements by statutory bodies, it remains primarily a responsible, self-regulating professional body,” it said.

It assured the service’s commitment to ensuring that everyone, even those found guilty of aiding terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits are awaiting confirmation of their sentencing, as it has been discovered in the Sokoto case is accorded a relatively decent life until their judgment is confirmed and executed.

“This commitment underscores the NA’s dedication to upholding professional standards and maintaining a just and fair system.” It said

The NA while appreciating Nigerians for their concern and support, pledged to remain focused on its drive to defeat security challenges facing the nation in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies.