Nigerian Army Reacts as Major General Brutally Assaults Man in Viral Video
- Acting chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an investigation of a viral video showing an unnamed major general and two other soldiers brutalising an unknown man and woman
- A statement by the army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the events leading to the assault were not clear
- Legit.ng gathered that the acting COAS ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the true circumstances surrounding the incident
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance.
FCT, Abuja - Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, the acting chief of army staff (COAS), has ordered an investigation into the alleged brutalisation of a Nigerian following an argument between him, a senior officer, and his colleagues which was captured in a viral video.
Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian army spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, November 19.
He said:
"The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a viral audio-visual recording circulating on social media platforms, purportedly showing a senior Army officer and 2 other soldiers in an altercation with a man and woman within the Abuja metropolis.
“The circumstances leading to this incident are not clear at the moment.
“However, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the true circumstances surrounding this altercation."
He assured the public that due diligence would be applied to reach a logical conclusion on the matter.
Legit.ng reports that the disturbing video emerged online showing the major general and at least one other soldier brutally assaulting a couple in their vehicle in public.
The viral footage revealed the harsh treatment of the couple by the soldiers. In the video, the soldiers were seen repeatedly hitting and kicking the young man, who appeared helpless and defenceless.
Some reports said the couple were assaulted for overtaking the soldiers’ vehicle.
Although details on the location and date of the incident remain unclear, the male individual who was assaulted was later left bloodied.
This incident raised concerns about the Nigerian Army's conduct and treatment of civilians.
Tinubu confers award on late army chief
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Tinubu conferred a post-homous award on Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief army staff (COAS) who died earlier in November.
Tinubu made the declaration during the interment in honour of the late warrior at the national cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng