…..Army orders probe of Major General involved in ‘assault’ of Abuja couple
An engaged couple, Vershima Mker and Lami Jennifer, have sued the Nigerian Army and Major General G.S. Mohammed and Corporal A. Abubakar among others of assaulting them during a visit to some relatives in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The couple is demanding N150 million compensation and dismissal of the soldiers who attacked them,
Their lawsuit follows a viral video in which the couple were beaten, resulting in injuries alongside their unlawful detainment without committing any offence.
According to their lawyer, Tom Uja, the incident occurred while the intending couple was driving along the 3rd Avenue in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Uju told the Punch how the couple were mistreated by the soldiers.
He said: “Part of their marital arrangements took them to Gwarinpa. As they were driving out along the 3rd Avenue, this general and his convoy were behind them. As soon as they heard the sound of the siren, they trafficated to the right to park.
“But, some roadside vendors were selling many things, so they needed to go past them. This was within seconds before they would park. As soon as they drove past the three or four roadside sellers, they parked their vehicle.
The general and his convoy now overtook them and went and blocked them. His anger was that they didn’t park immediately when they heard the siren. Without waiting for any explanation, they descended into beating the young man’s eye.”
The lawyer further alleged that the military officers beat the about-to-wed couple, inflicted injuries, handcuffed them and put them in their boot.
Uja added, “They handcuffed them after beating them. They put them inside the boot of one of their cars and took them to the police station. The DPO had to call the General when the man was crying in pain and needed treatment. The lady also suffered a fracture on his hand as a result of the incident.
“They were made to write an apology letter to the general under duress before they were allowed to go on bail. As I speak, doctors are battling to save that eye. After my petition was sent, the general has been threatening my clients.”
The lovers, however, are demanding the immediate dismissal of the officers involved and N150 million in damages as compensation for the physical and emotional harm inflicted on them.
…..Army orders probe of Major General involved in ‘assault’ of Abuja couple
Meanwhile, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Olufemi Oluyede has ordered an investigation into the case.
In a statement on Wednesday, Army Spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Gen. Oluyede, had ordered an investigation into the incident.
The statement reads: “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.
“The NA remains committed to serving and protecting all law-abiding Nigerians as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Therefore, we urge the public to be rest assured that due diligence will be applied to reach a logical conclusion on this matter.”
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