By Olayemi Esan
The Nigerian Army has reacted to the arrest and detained report of its female soldier who accepted a proposal from a male corps member at the Yikpata orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kwara State.
SpyeTV reports that, in one of the now-viral videos seen by The Nation, the yet-to-be-identified corps member is seen holding a ring. The open display of affection that took place at the Passing Out Parade of Batch B, Stream 2 of the 2021 Corp Members last week.
Nigerian Army spokesman Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said the now detained-female officer violated extant military laws by getting involved in a public display of relationship with a paramilitary trainee – a corps member.
Nwachukwu said, 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", he added.
He said, the female soldier in question violated the following rules of the NA. 1. Fraternization while on official duty at the NYSC camp. That is, indulging in amorous relationship with a trainee.
He noted that, a personnel must have served for 3 years, before he/she can qualify for marriage. She disobeyed the Armed Forces of Nigeria standing guidelines and directives for the use of Social Media .
"Indulging in romance while in uniform. 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, "be explained.
