The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered an investigation into the maltreatment of a civilian staff member of the Ministry of Defence at the Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos.
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Earlier on Tuesday, civilian staff members under the Joint Executive Council of the Ministry of Defence shut down the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja over the alleged brutalisation of their members by soldiers.
The council’s president, Didam Joel, highlighting some of the incidents of “brutalisation” by the soldiers, stated that an assistant director was brutalised by soldiers at the school.
He further stated that all civilian staff of the Ministry of Defence nationwide have withdrawn their services.
In response, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that Lagbaja has directed the Provost Marshal of the Army to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the incident.
The statement read, “In response to the recent concerns raised by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria regarding the treatment of civilian workers at Command Secondary School Ipaja, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has taken decisive action to address the situation.
“The Chief of Army Staff, in his unwavering commitment to upholding the rights of all personnel, including civilian staff, has directed the Provost Marshal (Army) to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the unfortunate incident at the Command Secondary School Ipaja, Lagos.
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“The investigation will comprehensively address all allegations raised by the ASCSN, with a focus on ensuring accountability and justice for all parties involved.”
In the statement, the Nigerian Army said it is committed to upholding the rights of all personnel, including civilian staff, and fostering a positive working environment.
“While acknowledging that misunderstandings or miscommunications may occur, the ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future,” it added.
The Army further disclosed that it is engaging with the Ministry of Defence and the ASCSN to address any outstanding issues and promote a cordial working relationship.
It also urged all parties involved in the incident to refrain from making premature judgments or spreading misinformation while the investigation progresses.
The statement added, “Currently, the NA is actively engaging with the Ministry of Defence and the ASCSN to address any outstanding issues and promote a cordial working relationship and industrial harmony.
“As the investigation progresses, the NA urges all parties to refrain from making premature judgments or spreading misinformation.
“Trust in the process is essential, and the NA is confident that the investigation will provide a clear and accurate understanding of the situation to facilitate appropriate and fair actions.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of all stakeholders, as we diligently work to address these concerns.”
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