Nigerian Army Reveals Officer Was Dismissed For Sexual Abuse Of School Girl In North East

An officer of the Nigerian Army was tried, sentenced and dismissed by the Nigeria Army for having carnal knowledge of a school girl in the North East who needed his protection.

Major Aminu Maruwa, a representative of the Defense Headquarters, Legal Section, made the disclosure on Tuesday while explaining how the military was handling human rights violations by its officers before a Multi-Stakeholders forum on the ‘Safe School Declaration’ held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.

The event was organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

During the discussion session, questions were asked about the behavior of some military officials amid the insecurity around schools in the north, including kidnapping of students and teachers.

Officers were also accused of occupying school buildings cited in some military barracks.

Maruwa explained that the military institution deals with human-related offenses through summary trial or its court.

Giving an example, Maruwa narrated that he once served as a prosecutor within the military court and was aware that an unnamed soldier was apprehended for having sex with a school girl who needed protection on her way for learning.

He said the soldier had accosted the victim when she was going to school in the North East.

According to him, the officer diverted her to an uncompleted building and “had carnal knowledge of her”.

Maruwa said the officer was subsequently arraigned before a court martial; ” he was convicted, sentenced and dismissed from the military”.

At the meeting, the Commission through one of its officers, Harry Ogwuche Obe, noted that insecurity around schools had worsened leading to over “1000 abductions” even though several of them had been released.

On his part, the Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Abdulrahim O. Shuaibu, said that the insecurity affecting the North was a “terrible issue” that would require synergy between host communities, security forces and the state judiciary sector.

“All offenses in the state are handled by the state judiciary,” he added.

Speaking to the audience, the NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu Esq , appreciated the participants for coming to the venue, and said it would afford everyone the opportunity to proffer solutions on how the federal government can “devise effective national accountability mechanisms that will deter future unlawful attacks against educational facilities, students and educators.”

The forum was held Tuesday ahead of the ‘Fourth International Conference On Safe Schools Declaration” holding in Abuja between October 25 to 27.

The Safe Schools Declaration Ratification Document was signed on December 31, 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Among other things, the document empowered relevant instruments towards the development of a National Policy for Safety, Security and Violence-free Schools.

The October Conference which will be hosted in partnership with the African Union Commission, Governments of Argentina, Norway, Spain and the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA); aims among other things, at “forging global cooperation and strengthen coordination in protecting education and deterring military use of schools and universities by bringing together education, defense, Justice and foreign affairs, multilateral and civil society organizations, to discuss prevention and response measures.”