army

Over 10,000 demand release of romantic soldier detained for accepting corper’s proposal

Nigerians excited as COAS orders release of romantic soldier
| anaben

Over 10,000 persons have signed petitions for the release of a female soldier, Private Sofiyat Akinlabi, who is currently being detained by military authorities for accepting the marriage proposal of an unnamed corper at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara State.

The first petition was started by activist Deji Adeyanju of Concerned Nigerians and has attracted over 5,000 signatures as of press time. It was titled, ‘FreeSofiat: Nigerian Army should release detained female Nigerian soldier immediately’.

It read in part, “We’re demanding the immediate release of the young female soldier being held by the Nigerian Army before it sparks national global outrage.

“Furthermore, we condemn the prolonged detention and alleged violation of her human rights by army authorities by denying Sofiyat access to members of her family and refusing to provide her with food, sanitary materials, and medical care. Such gross violation of human right, abuse of power and excessive use of force is absolutely uncalled for and condemnable.”


The next petition was started by activist Omoyele Sowore and has also attracted over 5,000 signatures. It was titled, ‘#FreeSofiyat: Release female soldier held over marriage proposal in Nigeria’.

It partly read, “It is Christmas time and Sofiat should be with her family and loved ones during the holidays and not held up.

“We are asking the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, to respect her constitutional rights and ensure that she is not stigmatised or dismissed from the military. We further call on the Nigerian military and security forces to review and remove all discriminatory rules against servicewomen in its books with immediate effect!”

Nigerian Army enlists 5,800 new soldiers

Nigerian Army enlists 5,800 new soldiers

| anaben

The Nigerian army has, on Saturday, enlisted 5800 new soldiers. This is as the country strives to protect its territory.

During their Passing Out Parade from the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Farouk Yahaya, urged the new soldiers to always be at alert to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria at all cost.

The 5,800 new soldiers are members of the 81 Regular Recruit Intake at the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria

General Yahaya observed that the country is currently encountering numerous security challenges by Boko Haram Terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, secessionist agitators and other criminal elements.

The COAS who was the Reviewing Officer at the POP said, the security challenges can only be surmount by the collective effort of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army not excluding the newly recruited ones.

“You must be ready to go wherever ordered to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria at any cost. You must obey all legitimate orders issued to you by your superiors no matter how unpleasant. It is also necessary to highlight that you are subject to both civil and military laws. As such, you must avoid any act that is inimical and poses a danger to the interest of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nation in general,” he said.

 He also expressed pleasure with the efforts of Depot Nigerian Army in producing brilliant soldiers for the country.

“Today marks yet another chapter in the history of this great institution and the Nigerian Army as we welcome a new set of soldiers into our noble profession. Depot Nigerian Army since its establishment in 1924 has borne the responsibility of molding selected able bodied citizens into well trained and disciplined soldiers to meet the manpower demands of the Nigerian Army. This function is of utmost importance and remains relevant considering the numerous security challenges presently bedeviling our great nation.”

“Distinguish invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, I am glad to report that Depot Nigerian Army has continued to plan and conduct its training activities in compliance with the Army Headquarters Training Directives whilst also taking cognizance of my vision of having “A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions Within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”.

“The institution has continued to evolve innovative ways of improving existing training standards in order to meet up with the demands of the dynamic contemporary operating environment. The introduction of cyclic training which affords every recruit the opportunity to participate actively in all training activities has translated in the production of highly skilled and professional young soldiers poised to serve in the Nigerian Army in various trade and non-trade capacities.

“It is heartwarming to note that these young soldiers of 81 Regular Recruit Intake are already being reputed for their high level of physical fitness, discipline and motivation. These attributes are encouraging and will indeed contribute to enhancing the strength as well as combat efficiency of the Service.

“The excellent parade we witnessed today further affirms numerous reports of the excellent performances recorded throughout the past months of rigorous military training.  This is a clear testimony of the zeal and enthusiasm of these young men to serve our father land meritoriously. I am certain that the basic military skills that have been inculcated in the course will position them to efficiently perform all tasks in the field no matter how daunting.

“I therefore urge all the new soldiers to maintain a high standard of professionalism and remain good ambassadors of Depot Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“As for the passing out recruits, you are all aware, Nigeria is currently facing numerous security challenges such as the activities of Boko Haram Terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, secessionist agitators and other criminal elements. I wish to state that these security challenges can only be surmounted by the collective resolve and effort of every officer and soldier of the Nigerian Army including those of you passing out today.

“I therefore urge you all to apply the mental, physical and moral training acquired over the past few months as well as those you will be exposed to at your respective units, formations and corps. I expect you all to uphold the Nigerian Army Core Values of Loyalty, Selfless Service, Courage, Discipline, Integrity and Respect for Others which are sacred to all our personnel. These values along with other cherished ethos of the Nigerian Army if well imbibed and upheld will help you attain great heights in your chosen career.

“May I at this juncture remind you of the importance of the Oath of Attestation that you have all sworn to. By this oath you are under obligation to remain loyal to constituted authorities at all times and place the interest of the nation ahead of your personal convictions.

“I urge you to always remain loyal especially to the Constitution and the President Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

There was a beautiful parade by the passing out recruits and physical fitness exercise which earned the admiration of the invited guest and families of the new soldiers.

Army debunks social media report of torture of man to death

Army debunks social media report of torture of man to death

| anaben

The Nigerian Army has said that reports circulating in social media that troops tortured one Christian Ehima to death in Edo are false and misleading.

Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, debunked the allegation in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu emphasised that the Nigerian army as a professional force had respected intensely the sanctity of human life and had zero tolerance for infringement on the rights of citizens.

While the Nigerian army sympathised with Ehima’s family, he thought it was imperative to set records right and correct wrong information.

He explained that evidence show that Ehima had strayed naked into a military checkpoint at Igbanke in Benin on Dec. 10, and was halted by soldiers on duty.

Nwachukwu said that when Ehima was questioned, he could not say anything of meaning as to where he were coming from or where he was headed. He was acting rather strange, like he was under some sort of influence.

The guard commander requested for the phone of the deceased, so as to contact his relations, friends or associates.

Army spokesperson explained that shortly after, a call came through to Ehima’s phone from a caller who identified herself as his mother. She was then invited to pick up her son, who was still very agitated and unstable.

According to him, the mother, on arriving at the scene, identified herself as a police officer and was briefed about her son’s observed abnormal behavior.

“On sighting his mother, his behaviour became aggravated.

“Thereafter, some passers-by were mobilised to help her take him to the hospital.

“In her conversation with the soldiers, she attributed her son’s weird behaviour to influence of alcohol, but soldiers present maintained that whatever was responsible for Ehima’s behaviour at that time was way beyond alcohol.

“It is also important to state that the incident was recorded both on video and audio, showing the behaviour of Christian Ehima and his mother commending the soldiers for their kind intervention.

“The evidence, including audio recordings of the police officer and her son are attached.

“Surprisingly, this unfortunate incident has been falsely reported in the social media without recourse to the reality of what transpired on the said date,’’ he stated.

Nwachukwu described the news circulating on social media as “misguided information’’. He urged the public to disregard such information, as it was clearly manipulative and an attempt to bring the Nigerian Army to disrepute.

Nigerian Official Commits Suicide After EFCC Invitation