A soldier identified as Lance corporal Samuel P. has allegedly been subjected to brutal maltreatment by a senior officer within the Nigerian Army’s 93 Battalion in Taraba State.
The incident reportedly occurred on the morning of January 12, 2025, around 8:10 am, during preparations for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade in Jalingo.
SaharaReporters gathered that LCpl Samuel P. arrived late for the mustering, prompting his reprimand by Lt. B. Mohammed.
Eyewitnesses allege that the officer ordered the soldier to perform “forward rolls” as punishment before taking a stick from Sgt. Steven and flogging the soldier.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among soldiers in the battalion, many of whom have expressed concerns over the increasing trend of maltreatment of lower-ranking personnel.
Sources claim that such acts of abuse have become alarmingly frequent, undermining morale and discipline within the military ranks.
In a photograph obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday, the soldier’s leg was seen bandaged and stained with blood, further corroborating reports of the incident.
This alleged act of brutality has raised questions about the treatment of soldiers, ratings, and airmen within the Nigerian armed forces.
Some soldiers who spoke to SaharaReporters argue that while discipline is a cornerstone of military operations, it should be enforced in a manner that upholds human dignity and complies with established regulations.
As of time of filling this report, the Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement addressing the incident or the broader allegations of ill-treatment within its ranks. Meanwhile, the soldiers are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure accountability and to prevent further instances of abuse.
On Sunday, January 19, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that Lieutenant commander Ekah, the Regulating Officer (RO) of the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT had been accused of assaulting and brutalising over 18 junior personnel.
NNS BEECROFT is the operational arm of the Western Naval Command in Lagos and Ogun Areas of Responsibility (AOR).
A military source who shared a video of one of the personnel allegedly brutalised by Ekah with SaharaReporters, said the 18 personnel were flogged for arriving late to parade mustering on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that KA Uzorh, one of the Ordinary Seamen reportedly tortured and brutalized by Lieutenant Commander Ekah, the Regulating Officer (RO) of the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, as previously reported by SaharaReporters, had been hospitalised.
Sources informed SaharaReporters that Uzorh sustained injuries during the assault, which have significantly impacted his physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
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