Tales of blood: Helpless civilians recount ordeals as power-drunk soldiers unleash mayhem

In this report, JOHNSON IDOWU writes on the excessive use of force on innocent civilians by power-drunk soldiers across the country, leading to death in some cases and tales of woes by victims, who were left brutalised by the abusive military personnel

Tidelis Esechie, a resident of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, still bears the trauma of the torture he was subjected to after two soldiers assaulted him over a business transaction he was not privy to between his friend and someone who invited the soldiers.

Narrating his ordeals to our correspondent, Esechie noted that his friend had engaged in a business transaction with someone without his knowledge. The business was said to have gone south and the partner came to his house claiming that since they could not find his friend, he would be held responsible for the loss.

    He protested their claim, asking, “Was I involved in your business? I don’t know the whereabouts of this friend you’re talking about.”
    Angered by his response, the soldiers descended on him and dealt him several blows to the eye, head and shoulder.

He continued, “They started beating me, dragged me on the floor and marched on me. One of the soldiers gave me a punch to the eye. I lost consciousness before they stopped beating me.”

Esechie claimed that he still suffers the pain of the beating he received on that day.
“I still feel pains from the beating I was subjected to till today and whenever I remember the incident, it makes me detest the Nigerian Army,” he concluded.

An artisan, John David, narrated a similar encounter after he purchased a N500 loaf of bread from a trader at a site where he worked.

He said an issue that ensued afterwards was resolved through the intervention of some community members.

He narrated further that a day after the incident, the son of the woman he had the issue with came with some men dressed in army camouflage and attacked him while working.

He narrated, “I bought bread from the woman and she sent her son to come and collect the money whom I told that I would pay when I finshed with the work. He went away and after some moments, he returned with his mother who resorted to dragging my clothes. The matter became messy and some members of the community intervened to settle the matter.

“The next day while I was working, the son came with two men who were dressed in army camouflage. Before I knew what was happening, the soldiers descended on me and started punching me. They pushed me into a stagnant water that had gathered as a result of recent rains.”

David stressed that he was pushed into the dirty water within the environment, stripped naked and brutalised.
Nigeria’s military personnel have historically been tasked with critical national security roles, including protecting citizens, combating insurgency, and providing disaster relief. However, recent years have witnessed an unsettling rise in confrontations between soldiers and civilians, often rooted in an unchecked sense of authority.

These encounters typically begin as minor disputes that escalate due to perceived disrespect or infractions by civilians, which soldiers may interpret as challenges to their authority.

 The incidents above and numerous others across various Nigerian states have set a troubling precedent where disputes escalate to physical violence, sometimes ending in fatal confrontations.

With little to no immediate legal repercussions for the soldiers involved, many Nigerians feel powerless and vulnerable to potential violence from those sworn to protect them.

Soldiers kill cop in Lagos, disrupt businesses in Abuja

A particularly troubling incident occurred in Lagos on October 10, 2024, where soldiers allegedly attacked a team of policemen enforcing traffic laws in the Ojo area of Lagos State leading to the death of one of the police officers after being allegedly stabbed by a soldier.

 The soldier, who was not wearing his uniform, was stopped by the policemen on enforcement duty at the Volks Bus Stop while driving an unregistered T4 Volkswagen commercial bus against the traffic.
Angered by the action of the policemen, it was learnt that an altercation ensued prompting the soldier to contact some of his colleagues, who reportedly trooped out of the Ojo Cantonment Barracks and attacked the policemen.

A document chronicling the circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ attack on the policemen indicated that Ganiyu sustained varying degrees of injury during the attack and was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Ganiyu died at the hospital as a result of the injuries sustained from the attack.

In a similar scenario in the Yaba area of Lagos State, some officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps were attacked by soldiers while carrying out a demolition of an illegally erected structure on the fence of the Yaba College of Technology.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, shared videos of the disturbing incident on his X page on October 8 while expressing displeasure over the soldiers’ actions.

According to Wahab, the soldiers had erected an illegal structure around the fence of the polytechnic but the state government issued several notices to them to remove the structure. Following the expiration of the notice, KAI officials moved to demolish the structure but they were attacked by the soldiers.

 Wahab wrote, “Earlier today, officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, lawfully engaged in their duties in Yaba, were subjected to an unprovoked attack by personnel of the Nigerian Army under the directive of Major Adebiyi and Captain Gowon.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T. Lagbaja, and the Director of Chaplain Services, Lt. Col. T.E. Ogbonyomi, for their swift and decisive intervention in support of civil authorities.

“Their leadership has ensured that the KAI officers continued to carry out their responsibilities without further disruption, reinforcing the principle that military personnel are subject to the authority of civil governance within their jurisdictions.”

On May 18, 2024, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, some personnel of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police stormed a plaza, beating passersby and manning guards, after an altercation ensued between a trader and a soldier over a mobile phone transaction.

Sources privy to the incident had told The PUNCH correspondent that the scuffle ensued over a mobile phone that was sold to a civilian who came to complain that the phone was faulty. The civilian had resorted to inviting soldiers to intervene in the matter during which an argument ensued and led to a free-for-all.

“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” a trader had said.

Following the ensuing scuffle, police officers were deployed to the market to calm the situation. However, some soldiers moved to the market and shut it down, thereby disrupting business activities and assaults on civilians.

The assault on civilians was perceived as a reprisal for the free-for-all that broke out between four military police personnel and some traders at the popular electronics and telecommunications gadget market.
The soldiers’ attacks on civilians and a show of force by the military police came a few hours after the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennet Igweh, settled the scuffle between the soldiers and the traders at the police command.

On May 21, four days after soldiers manned the market, one of the military officers keeping watch at the market slapped a lady into a coma. The lady was said to have crossed a barricade.

The army however reopened the plaza 10 days after the scuffle had occurred.

In its reaction to the incident, the Nigerian Army said it arrested the trader involved in the incident but did not disclose any sanctions for its personnel involved in the altercation.

The PUNCH reported on November 22, 2017, that an electronics dealer in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Lukman Lambo, had to undergo surgery to regain the use of his eye. The injury was allegedly inflicted on him by soldiers who also dragged him on the street.

It was said that the girlfriend of one of the soldiers, Darasola, disagreed with Lukman’s younger brother, Saheed Lambo. The soldier did not meet Saheed at home, but his elder brother, Lukman, was on a visit. The victim had told a PUNCH correspondent that one of the soldiers believed to be Darasola’s boyfriend rained blows on his face. He said he was handcuffed to a motorcycle while one of the soldiers rode the bike and dragged him on the street.

 The above incidents are a few instances of military brutality that have got media attention with several others going unreported.
 
Brutality not limited by military ranks

 While most instances of military brutality are often linked to junior officers of the force, a recent incident showed that the issue of brutalising civilians is not limited to officers of junior ranks alone.

A recent viral video that has led to outbursts on social media showed Major General G.S. Mohammed and a junior colleague, Corporal A. Abubakar, brutalising an intending couple, Vershima Mker and Lami Jennifer, along the Gwarimpa area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

In the video, the visibly angry soldiers were seen punching Mker while the corporal was shouting, “Why you overtake us (sic).” The assault continued after Mker was dragged out of his vehicle and another officer dragged the phone with Jennifer who had been recording the scenario. The video also shows Mker with blood stains on his head which was suspected to be from injuries sustained during the assault.

The intending couple has however petitioned the army authorities demanding a N150m compensation.

Reacting to the incident, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement shared on the X page of the army, noted that the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an investigation into the matter.
Experts blame psychological disorders, conditions of training on soldiers’ brutality

A 2020 study by M. A. Sado-Imodagbe titled, “Military-Civilian Brutality: Place of the Rule of Law and Constitutional and Democratic Institutions,” revealed that the stringent environment in which the military operates often leads to what could be termed transferred aggression.

 The study also noted that the mentality of superiority nurtured by military personnel often also leads them to attack civilians and less powerful individuals.

Sado-Imodagbe said, “Some of the main factors severing civil-military relations are military perception towards civilians; that is about the sacrifice belief they are putting into protecting the citizens and the country. For instance, such language as ‘Bloody Civilian’ as often used by the military is one of the propelling factors of hatred and acts of brutality in army-civilian conflict.

 “In conflict analysis, four causes such as resource, value, psychological needs and communication are paramount.

 The third and fourth causes (psychological needs and communication) could be analysed in this behaviour around frustrations, psychological needs and communication.

“Welfare, an enabling environment and self-expression in terms of grievance or complaint are stringent in the profession. This could lead to what could be regarded as transferred undermotivation, frustration and aggression.”
Similarly, a psychotherapist and founder of the Mental Health Support Initiative at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Dr Addah Tamuno-opubo, attributed military brutality to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that may arise from prolonged exposure to war.

He stressed that such conditions of war could replay in the memories of military personnel thereby prompting them to want to engage in further conflict.

According to the psychotherapist, if soldiers are not fully debriefed after returning from war, could also contribute to violent behaviours.

He said, “Several issues can come into play in military brutality. Soldiers may experience psychological stressors like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which could be a result of constant involvement in fighting here and there. So that thing keeps replaying in them which is traumatising and when it keeps playing in them they could show it in different ways.

“It could come as a way of wanting to vent or wanting to control emotions. Importantly when they are sent out for the fight against Biko haram, fight against insurgents of any kind and they return, there is a concept we call debriefing which they are supposed to undergo. They are supposed to be fully debriefed psychologically.

“They could also experience depression or anxiety which could lead to aggression or misuse of power. The lack of mental health support and continuous exposure to violent trauma can destabilise soldiers thereby increasing the likelihood of violent outbursts against civilians. They could also carry out the outburst against their colleagues.”

In another reaction, a security expert, Anslem Ozueh, noted that the cohabitation of military personnel and civilians is a wrong arrangement that would often fuel discord. He stressed the malfunction of processes and procedures in the training and retraining of the military in Nigeria as another contributing factor to military brutality.
Ozueh said, “It is a malfunction of process and procedure in the rule of engagement. Brutality to civilians and all other uniform agencies is not part of military engagement. There is a huge gap in the training and retraining process and the orientation and reorientation of military officers on their rules of engagement.

“Military officers are supposed to be seen in the town only when there is civil unrest and just to make sure they maintain the integrity and sovereignty of the state and boundaries. Since there is no threat of war, they are supposed to remain in the barracks waiting for any signal that is coming to interrupt the peace of the state. But because they now live in a society, that is when a military officer will be seen brutalising civilians.”

 Victims risk psychological trauma, depression

Stressing the impact of military brutality on victims and families of victims, Dr Tamuno-opubo noted that the lasting effect of such brutality could be devastating to the victims and their families.

 He noted that prolonged memory of military brutality could also result in post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Of course, anybody who suffers any form of battery will experience some level of psychological issues. However, it could differ from person to person. The military could brutalise someone and tomorrow such a person is functioning like nothing happened while to some, it could be traumatising. I will say that victims of military brutality often experience anxiety, depression, confusion and mistrust of authorities which can also lead to a long time of emotional and psychological damage especially when the victim does not do anything wrong.

 “When someone is just walking on the street and a soldier who is unable to regulate his emotions just slaps you or you are walking with a friend or a loved one, and a soldier who gets angry with another person shoots at people and in your very presence your love one is dead as a result of a stray bullet. It has a way it plays out on these people and if care is not taken it could also lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Army mum

 When this correspondent reached out to the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, to enquire about efforts being made by the army authority to curb the excessiveness of its personnel and the recurring cases of military-civilian brutality, he asked our correspondent to send a text message. He however did not respond to the message sent via text and WhatsApp and did not respond to calls made to his line.

‘Military must act to avoid citizens’ apathy’

A security expert, Anslem Ozueh, noted that the pattern of unchecked violence by soldiers against civilians in Nigeria is a national crisis that demands immediate action. He stressed that comprehensive reforms, including stricter disciplinary measures, conflict resolution training, and the establishment of an independent oversight committee, are essential to prevent further loss of life and restore trust.

He stressed that if the violence remains unchecked, it could lead to apathy on the part of the citizens which could result in the EndSARS scenario.

“The apathy is growing by the day and the implication is that by the time the proper apathy is been created, the love will not be there any longer. The respect, and dignity of the military have been watered down by their day-to-day interaction in society.

“Their rule of engagement needs to be redefined.  The implication is that it will worsen and it will get to a point where the society will either come up with a revolution to do mass attack like what happened to the Nigeria Police Force in the past. There is a need for re-orientation on the part of the military and the civilians must also know their boundaries.”
 

Call to action

According to Tamuno-opubo, to curb the excessiveness of military brutality, the military authority must ensure it conducts routine training, mental checkups and psychological assessment for its personnel.

“Nigeria must constantly conduct psychological screening for its workers and should also provide regular health support and counselling programs for military personnel. I think the police have also come up with a police counselling and support unit and gradually it is gaining strength and we hope that other armed forces will also key into that.

“Like I said psychological screening, regular mental health support and counselling programs and most importantly, training on emotional regulation and stress management. What we are talking about it borders down to how people regulate emotions and how people can manage stress. It means if anybody not only military officers, is unable to manage their emotions, it is going to cause serious problems for that person,” Tamuno-opubo noted.

Sado-Imodagbe in his study opined that in order to end military brutality and assault on civilians borders on the respect for rule of law and equality.

“The creation of Department of Defence Civil-Military Relations whose aim is about formulating policy to facilitate improve openness and improve relations between the Armed Forces and the Nigerian populace is a good one. Especially, the twine departments: Department of Defence Civil-Military Co-operations and Department of Defence Transformation andInnovations under the above named body is germane to national co-operation on security and national security stability.
 “But regardless institutions been created, the supremacy of the law and the rule of law remained the hallmark of nationhood, built on equality and equity before the law. This is where the law stands as instrument to taming the excesses of anyone found wanting regardless profession and position in the society.”

Conclusively, the Nigerian Army, government, and civil society must collaborate to implement these changes and protect citizens’ rights, ensuring that the military serves as a true safeguard of national security and not a source of fear. Without reforms, Nigeria risks enduring continued cycles of fear, mistrust, and violence. Addressing these issues is not only a matter of national security but also one of justice, human rights, and social stability for all Nigerians.