DHQ: 16 soldiers arrested, to face trial over alleged misconduct

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 16 military officers will face a full military disciplinary process over indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

The Military High Command revealed this in a statement through the Director Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday.

According to the statement, the officers have been arrested, while an investigation is still ongoing to determine the gravity of their offences.

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.”

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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.