Anthony Iwuoma
The Nigerian Army has reacted to public outcry that it is unjustly punishing a female soldier for accepting a marriage proposal from a corp member at the an Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in Kwara State.
Responding to an enquiry by PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, explained that punitive measures are being taking against the soldier because she flouted standing rules and guidelines.
Sahara Reporters had reported one of the trending video clips, some corps members were seen having a discussion at a venue believed to be the parade ground of the orientation camp.
READ ALSO: http://Reps demand multiple checkpoints removal on South East Roads
The discussion was still on when the yet-to-be-identified corps member, who is seen holding a ring, went down on one knee and popped the question to the soldier with the lady accepting the proposal.
The corps member then went on to insert the ring in the finger of the visibly excited Sofiat amid cheers from others at the scene.
She could also be seen relishing the moment as she kissed the ring at intervals with smiles etched on her face.
The lovebirds later shared a warm embrace.
In another clip, the corps member was seen wearing Sofiat’s military cap as she stood directly behind him.
They, thereafter, shared a kiss to the delight of other corps members filming the incident.
Reports soon filtered in that the female soldier had been detained by the army authorities, eliciting anger wide condemnation on social media.
READ ALSO: http://Senators divided over N400b Census budget proposal
Human rights activist and convener of #Revolution Now, Omoyele Sowore, had taken up the fight for her release.
However, reacting to PREMIUM TIMES enquires, Nwachukwu the army spokesman, said it is an act of indiscipline for a trainer to engage in an affair with her trainee, describing the act as fraternisation in military terms.
He added that it is an act of gross misconduct for a personnel to engage in romance while in uniform.
“The Nigerian Army has Codes of conduct, Rules and regulations guiding our personnel whenever and wherever they are deployed for duty.
“We have ethics, customs and traditions, which have the force of law and are enforceable as such. These are meant to guide service personnel and better position them to efficiently execute the critical, onerous and consistently hazardous profession of the arms.
“The female soldier in question violated the following rules of the NA. Firstly, fraternization while on official duty at the NYSC camp. That is, indulging in amorous relationship with a trainee.
“Secondly, a personnel must have served for three years, before he/she can qualify for marriage.
“Thirdly, she disobeyed the Armed Forces of Nigeria standing guidelines and directives for the use of Social Media.
“Fourthly, indulging in romance while in uniform, and fifthly, her conduct was prejudicial to good order and military discipline. All the above, if proven are in violation of extant laws with attendant disciplinary and penal implications.
“As a personnel, her task was to train the youth corps members and not to indulge in amorous relationship with any of them.
“These rules were put in place for the purpose of proper administration and discipline in the Army. If I may ask, what if the soldier was a male? How would the public have perceived his action? Definitely, it would have been perceived as taking advantage of a female corper, a trainee, put in his care for training.
“The same applies here. The Nigerian military like all others, has its disciplinary codes, distinct from that of the general society. Every personnel has voluntarily undertaken to be bound by this code.” Nkwachukwu explained.