The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an urgent investigation into a viral video showing a senior army officer and two soldiers physically assaulting a man and a woman in Abuja.
The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, was captured in a video circulating on social media. In the footage, an unnamed Major General and his aides are seen violently confronting the civilians, though the exact cause of the altercation remains unclear.
A statement from the Nigerian Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed that the Army is aware of the video. The Army has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
“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 two other soldiers in an altercation with a man and woman within the Abuja metropolis,” the statement read.
While the circumstances leading to the incident remain unknown, the Acting COAS has instructed that the situation be looked into immediately. The Army’s top brass has assured Nigerians that they will get to the bottom of the matter.
“The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the true circumstances surrounding this altercation,” the statement added.
The shocking footage has caused public outrage, with many Nigerians expressing disbelief at the sight of uniformed personnel attacking civilians. The Army’s swift response aims to calm public concern, with officials reiterating the Army’s commitment to upholding the law.
The incident has raised questions about the conduct of security personnel, particularly those in senior positions, and their treatment of ordinary citizens. This comes at a time when calls for greater accountability and discipline in the Nigerian military are growing louder.
The video, which has now been viewed by thousands of Nigerians online, shows the army officer and his subordinates forcefully dragging the civilians from their vehicle. The altercation appears to escalate quickly, with the officer and his men using physical force to intimidate and harm the motorists.
Social media users have condemned the incident, with some calling for the immediate suspension of the officer involved, while others are demanding justice for the victims of the assault.
A number of civil society organizations and concerned citizens have also weighed in on the issue. They are calling for a transparent investigation and urging the Army leadership to ensure that those responsible face consequences for their actions.
Despite the video’s widespread circulation, the Nigerian Army has yet to release any further details regarding the identities of the officer and soldiers involved or the victims. However, the Army’s commitment to ensuring justice is clear.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to serving and protecting all law-abiding Nigerians as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Major General Nwachukwu said in the statement.
He assured Nigerians that due diligence would be applied during the investigation, and that the Army would work towards a logical and fair resolution of the issue.
