The school and military logo.
By Valentine Amanze
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered the Provost Marshal (Army) to thoroughly and impartially investigate the alleged military brutality on civilian staff at the Command Secondary School Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
The order is coming on the heels of the ongoing protest by members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) in Abuja over brutalization and molestation of members by the army.
In a statement issued by the Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Chief of Army Staff regretted the incident that allegedly caused the feud.
Lagbaja assured that the investigation would comprehensively address all allegations raised by the ASCSN, with a focus on ensuring accountability and justice for all parties involved.
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His words: “The Nigerian Army (NA) recognizes the vital role that civilian staff play in supporting its operations and day to day administration and is therefore dedicated to fostering a positive and respectful working environment for all personnel.
“While acknowledging that misunderstandings or miscommunication may occur, the ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
Lagbaja said that the Nigerian Army (NA) was committed to upholding the rule of law and respect for the rights of all its employees, including the fundamental rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
He disclosed that the NA was already engaging with the Ministry of Defence and the ASCSN to address any outstanding issues and promote a cordial working relationship and industrial harmony.
Though Lagbaja did not state the timeframe for the completion of the investigation, he assured that the NA was committed to peaceful coexixtence.
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