The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered an investigation into the alleged maltreatment of a civilian staff member of the Ministry of Defence at the Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos. This comes after civilian staff members under the Joint Executive Council shut down the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, protesting the alleged brutalization of their colleagues by soldiers.
The protest followed a video showing a soldier assaulting a civilian staff member, sparking outrage and demands for action. The COAS has directed the Lagos Garrison Commander to investigate the incident and report back to him.
The development indicates a potential crackdown on military brutality and a move to address the grievances of civilian staff in the Ministry of Defence. The investigation’s outcome may lead to disciplinary action against the soldiers involved and improved relations between military and civilian personnel.
