Nigerian army arrests soldiers after viral torture video
âą Rights groups have in the past criticised Nigeria’s army for alleged rights abuses
The Nigerian army has arrested two soldiers after a viral video allegedly showed them torturing a civilian.
In the footage, a man in military fatigues and another in civilian clothing repeatedly kick and whip a third shirtless man, as he repeatedly pleas for mercy.
âNo, no sir, abeg! (I beg). I will confess sir, abeg!â the man cries out.
The army has expressed âutmost dismayâ at the âunprofessional conductâ allegedly displayed by the officers.
âIt is instructive to mention that the soldiers involved in that unprofessional conduct have been clearly identified and arrested,â the army added in a statement on Wednesday.
The alleged assault took place in Nigeriaâs Rivers state, but the date is unclear.
The circulation of the video on social media platforms earlier this week prompted widespread condemÂnation of the soldiers and Nigerian army, with one user on X describing the soldiersâ behaviour as âhighly cruel, barbaric and nothing but abuse of powerâ.
The army has assured that it will conduct a thorough investigation to address the incident and promised to âsanction those involvedâ.
International human rights groups have previously criticised Nigeriaâs army for alleged rights abuses, inÂcluding torture, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings.
Nigerian soldiers used to have a reputation for acting with impuniÂty â for many years it was rare for soldiers to face disciplinary action if they attacked civilians.
But this has changed in recent years. Army chief, Taoreed Lagbaja, vowed to make the army more disciplined and professional when he was appointed last year.
âBBC
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