The Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations at the Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, has assured Nigerians that investigations are ongoing into the recent altercation between some military personnel and staff of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Friday, Bankole acknowledged that the Defence Headquarters is reviewing the incident and assured that appropriate sanctions would be imposed on anyone found culpable.
“What happened at Ikeja Disco is being viewed seriously at the Defence Headquarters and the Nigerian Air Force headquarters. Whatever sanctions need to be meted out will be,” he stated.
While condemning the actions seen in the viral video of the incident, he clarified that such behaviour does not represent the values of the Nigerian military. He also noted that the underlying tensions between the Air Force and IKEDC were being addressed.
Bankole also explained that the military exists to protect, not intimidate, the public.
He emphasized that uniformed personnel are committed to serving and safeguarding the nation.
“People should not feel scared when they see people in uniform; the men in uniform are meant to protect you,” he said. “The military career is a noble one. Beyond protecting the territorial integrity of the country, we are also responsible for safeguarding lives.”
Bankole expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the military will continue to earn the trust and respect of Nigerians through professionalism and service.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen military-civilian relations, emphasizing the need for public cooperation in intelligence gathering.
“The military is here to protect the people, and that message is being reinforced through sensitization programs,” he said. “A good relationship between the military and civilians is crucial because we rely on intelligence from the people to effectively carry out our duties.”
