Army Donates Cash, Clothing to Maltreated Cripple

The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA) has donated some clothing and cash to Chijioke Ajakwu Aka CJ who was maltreated by two soldiers of 302 Artillery General Support Regiment on Wednesday 7 February 2017 near new market road in Onitsha.

Addressing the press at the Headquarters of 302 Artillery Regiment in Onitsha today, the Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division, Colonel Sagir Musa, whom at the instance of the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General Adamu Abubakar, presented the cash and clothing reiterated that the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has zero tolerance for human rights abuses and would not condone or encourage professional misconduct among its officers and men.

Sagir added that: “What is given to the victim should not be misconstrued as compensation, but a genuine gesture to show our fellow country men and women and indeed the international community that the Nigerian Army is a responsible and caring organisation.”

Also speaking at the event, the Commanding Officer of the Regiment, Colonel Idongesit Akpan appreciated members of the press for their balanced and objective reports on the issue.

Colonel Akpan said: “This misconduct would not occur again. It is an isolated case which doesn’t represents the attitude of the regiment and the Nigerian Army.”

In a remark at the occasion, the representative of the Governor Anambra State, who is also the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Victoria Chikweli commended the Army for the timely response and excellent management of the crisis. She stated that she was requested by the Governor Anambra State to attend the event with the view to finding out what the NA is doing on the matter.

The Commissioner expressed the concern of the Anambra State Government on the issue and the readiness of Governor Willie Obiano to take over from where the army has stopped. She further disclosed that the Governor would also received the victim soon.

The victim Chijioke Ajakwu who looked hale and hearty expressed his appreciation to the army’s leadership for their gesture and prompt attention to the incident.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division