Two soldiers who were captured on camera abusing a man who was partially nude in a Port Harcourt room have been taken into custody by the Nigerian Army.
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The victim was shown being tortured by the troops with belts in the footage that went viral on Tuesday.
Nigerians took to social media to express their outrage, demanding that the soldiers be detained and charged.
The troops’ detention was verified by Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
According to him, the Army was offended by the viral video and had punished the soldiers who were participating.
“The GOC, who is also the Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe, further reassured that those involved will be sanctioned.
“So, we encourage members of the public to continue to provide credible information about such unprofessional conduct, as the Division is responsive to the public,” he added.
The Army spokesman described the behaviour of the soldiers as an isolated case that is being expeditiously dealt with by the military authorities.
“More assurances that individuals implicated will face consequences were given by the GOC, who is also the Commander of the Land Component of the Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe.
Since the Division is open to the public, he continued, “we encourage members of the public to continue providing credible information about such unprofessional conduct.”
The soldiers’ actions were characterised by an Army spokeswoman as an isolated incident that was being handled quickly by military officials.
