Era of using military uniform to do, undo over, army chief tells personnel

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugboh has cautioned soldiers against rights violations in their dealings with civilians.

At a human rights workshop for soldiers of the 33 Artillery Brigade in Bauchi on Tuesday, Mr Ugboh stated that it was no longer appropriate for “soldiers in uniforms to do and undo” because the world had changed.

He said those who joined the army with the intent to victimise civilians should shelve the idea because doing so would land them in trouble.

The army chief said the lecture was meant to help the soldiers understand their place and conduct themselves professionally in society.

“For some of you who are old soldiers, there was a time when being a soldier in uniform was an open licence to do and undo; those days are gone, and you can only look back on them with nostalgia.

“For the younger soldiers, some of you may have joined the army for the sole purpose of having the power to load it over citizens, not in uniform.

“Whatever may have been your idea about what it means to be a soldier, this workshop would help you better understand your proper place and conduct in relation to the larger society,” he stated.

He added that the proper conduct of Nigerian soldiers within the larger society was necessary to ensure the success of military operations.

Mr Ubgoh added that interactions between soldiers and civilians were inevitable, hence the need for troops to conduct themselves professionally.

In his welcome address, the Brigade Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig:-Gen Emmanuel Egbe, said the workshop would remind all the participants of their roles while interacting with the civilian populace.

He said it would also teach them the importance of adhering to ethical standards in their conduct as soldiers.

The workshop theme is “The Proper Conduct of the Nigerian Soldiers Within the Larger Society.”