A petition addressed to the Chief of Army Staff has emerged, accusing high-ranking officers in the Nigerian Army of misconduct and abuse. The legal firm Tom Uja & Co., representing the victims, has called for the dismissal of the accused officers and a compensation payment of ₦150 million to the victims.
The allegations center on Major General G.S. Mohammed and Corporal A. Abubakar, who are accused of assaulting a couple, Master Vershima Mker and Miss Lami Jennifer Iorvihi, in Gwarinpa, Abuja. According to the petition, the couple was attacked while preparing for their upcoming wedding after pulling over to give way to the military convoy led by Major General Mohammed.
The incident reportedly involved physical violence, leaving Mr. Mker with severe injuries requiring specialized treatment and Miss Iorvihi with a fractured finger. Following the alleged assault, the victims were detained for eight hours at the Gwarinpa Police Station, where they claim they were coerced into writing an apology to the Major General under duress before being released.
Tom Uja & Co. described the incident as a blatant violation of the victims’ constitutional rights, leading to both physical and psychological harm. The legal firm has given the Nigerian Army until November 18, 2024, to meet their demands, warning that failure to act will result in the public release of video evidence and the pursuit of legal action.
In their letter, the victims’ representatives stressed the importance of holding the accused accountable, urging the Chief of Army Staff to ensure justice is served and protect the integrity of the armed forces.
As of the time of reporting, the Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official response to these allegations.