By Michael Adeoye
The alarming trend of military personnel interfering in civilian matters has cast a shadow over Nigeria, bringing death and terror to innocent citizens. This issue came to the forefront on January 11, 2024, when a shocking video surfaced online, showing two army officers brutally torturing a half-naked man in Rivers State. Despite the victim’s desperate pleas and promises to confess, the soldiers continued their violent assault, kicking him with their boots.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, swiftly condemned the act and announced that Major General Jamal Abdussalam had initiated an investigation. Danjuma emphasized the army’s commitment to protecting citizens’ fundamental human rights and urged the public to report unprofessional conduct by military personnel. He assured that this “unfortunate isolated case” would be thoroughly addressed.
However, as the year progressed, more incidents of military personnel torturing and causing the deaths of civilians emerged, revealing a deeply troubling pattern.
In April, Richard Onumaegbu, a civilian staff member of the Nigerian Navy, tragically lost his life following an altercation that escalated due to the misuse of military power. Richard, who had worked for 15 years at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Lagos State, was tortured to death by naval officers after a dispute with a woman who mobilized them against him.
The incident began when Richard confronted the woman, who often taunted him. The situation escalated, and after Richard demanded an apology for being slapped, the woman returned with five naval officers. They tortured Richard for over five hours, beating him with fists, sticks, and wires, and even flogging him on his privates. Despite his severe injuries, Richard reported the incident but tragically died on Easter Sunday at his office.
The Nigerian Navy arrested the officers and the woman involved, promising a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible. This incident highlights a recurring problem in Nigeria’s security framework: the improper involvement of military personnel in civilian matters.
Another tragic incident occurred in April when Mr. Achimugu Etubi, a hotel manager in Umuahia, Abia State, was tortured to death by army personnel. The torture followed the drowning of a Nigerian Air Force cadet in the hotel pool. Initially detained by the police, Etubi and his colleagues were later handed over to the military for further investigation, where they were brutally beaten. Etubi collapsed and died from the torture, prompting the Chief of Army Staff to order a comprehensive investigation.
In June, 13-year-old Wisdom Hashim from Kaduna took his own life after being tortured by a soldier, falsely accused of theft by a neighbor. Despite receiving medical attention, Wisdom succumbed to the trauma of the torture. The real thief later confessed, underscoring the tragic misuse of military power. The state police promised to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.
The misuse of military power in civilian matters has become alarmingly common in Nigeria. Citizens, frustrated with the slow and often corrupt judicial and police systems, sometimes resort to using military personnel to settle disputes. This practice has led to numerous cases of unlawful torture and death, raising serious concerns about human rights violations and the erosion of legal boundaries.
Experts and advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of boundaries and greater accountability for military personnel involved in civilian affairs. Malachy Odo, a legal expert, emphasized that using military personnel to intimidate and torture civilians violates constitutional rights. He urged victims to seek justice through the courts, where erring officers can be held accountable.
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Nigerian Army Spokesman, condemned the misuse of military personnel in civilian matters, reiterating that no soldier is permitted to be used by civilians for settling personal disputes. He encouraged the public to report such incidents, assuring that investigations would be conducted, and guilty officers punished.
Despite the Nigerian military’s efforts to maintain order and assist in internal security, the overreach of military personnel into civilian matters remains a critical issue. The lack of strict enforcement of jurisdictional boundaries and the frequent impunity of offending officers have led to a culture of fear and mistrust.
Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and ensure that military personnel adhere to their professional ethics. The Nigerian government and military leadership must take decisive action to prevent further tragedies and restore public confidence in the country’s security framework.