Soldiers who brutalised crippled man, demoted,sentenced to jail with hard labour

Two soldiers, Corporal Bature Samuel  and Corporal Abdulazeez Usman, who brutalised a wheelchair-bound man along New Market Road, Onitsha, Anambra State on Tuesday, have been sentenced to 21 days imprisonment with hard labour.They have also been demoted.

The Nigerian Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Usman said the demoted soldiers on Feb. 7, maltreated a physically challenged person, Mr Chijioke Uraku, on the street of Onitsha, Anambra, for allegedly wearing Army camouflage uniform.

Usman said they were arrested, summarily tried on two counts and found guilty.

    “Consequently, both have been sentenced to reduction in rank from Corporal to Private Soldiers and 21 days imprisonment with Hard Labour, respectively.
    “It includes forfeiture of 21 days pay to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
    “The Nigerian Army has also reached out to the victim of their unjustifiable assault, Mr. Chijoke Uraku (alias CJ), as widely reported by the media.
    “We wish to reiterate our avowed determination to ensure that troops conduct themselves in the most orderly and professional manner at all times.


“Any act of indiscipline would not be tolerated,” he said.

NAN