Military arrests 16 officers for misconduct

The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Saturday said it arrested 16 officers for alleged indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

The military said investigations showed that the grievances of the arrested officers were linked to repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation.

According to a statement by Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau their conduct was described as incompatible with military standards.

He noted that some of the officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences and were either awaiting or undergoing trial.

Gusau said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations. Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.

“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service.”

He noted that those indicted at the end of the investigation would face the military disciplinary process in line with established procedures.

“Upon completion of investigation indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability and preserve professionalism within the Armed Forces.

“The Armed Forces wishes to assure the general public that these actions are strictly disciplinary in nature and part of routine efforts to maintain order, discipline, and loyalty within the ranks. ”

He further stressed that the military would not tolerate behaviour that undermines its integrity or threatens its constitutional role.

“The Armed Forces will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority. The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will remain professional at all times, ” Gusau said.

Cases of disciplinary action are not new within the Nigerian military.

In recent years, the Armed Forces have sanctioned personnel over mutiny, desertion, and acts deemed prejudicial to service discipline.(Punch)