By Dipo Olowookere
No fewer than six soldiers have been detained by authorities of the Nigerian Army for their alleged involvement in the assault of a woman in Lagos.
On Sunday, March 12, 2017, a woman in Odoguyan, Ikorodu area of Lagos State was allegedly beaten by some military personnel because she challenged the soldiers, who slapped her brother.
The woman, identified as Ruth Orji, sued the Army for N250 million at a Federal High Court in Lagos.
But the Army has intervened in the matter, saying it has detained six soldiers having link with the issue.
In a statement issued by the Army, it said the “incident is highly regrettable, even as the Division under the Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for inhuman treatment.”
It further said the soldiers, attached to 174 Battalion, “are being detained in regards to the incident,” and that the woman has been taken to hospital where she is responding to treatment.
The Army said it has set up a Board of Inquiry headed by the Commander 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Elias Attu, to investigate the circumstances that led to the incident, determine the level of the soldiers involvement, submit its findings and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures which will be communicated.
“The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army says it “remains committed to its tasks as part of the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army. It continues to enjoin all to be law abiding and count on their support and cooperation.”
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale