Nigerian Army Explains Detention Of Female Soldier Who Accepted Marriage Proposal From Corps Member
The Nigerian Army has said the female soldier who got romantically entangled with a male corps member at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara State, will be penalised for violating military rules and regulations.
The open display of affection happened at the Passing Out Parade of Batch B, Stream 2 of the 2021 Corp Members last week where the yet-to-be-identified corps member is seen holding a ring.
The female soldier, accepting the proposal from the corps member, got the ring fixed on her finger while they both sealed the romantic display with a kiss much to the delight of other corps members recording the incident.
Nigerian Army spokesman Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement on Sunday said the now detained-female officer violated extant military laws by getting involved in a public display of relationship with a paramilitary trainee – a corps member.
He explained that the female officer violated the Nigerian Army’s rules and regulations guiding the codes of conduct of military personnel when deployed for duty.
According to him, the female soldier violated some rules of the Nigerian Army, including indulging in an amorous relationship with a trainee; indulging in romance while in uniform; disobeying the Armed Forces standing guidelines and directives for the use of social media, among others.
He said, “The female soldier in question violated the following rules of the NA: fraternisation while on official duty at the NYSC camp. That is, indulging in an amorous relationship with a trainee.
“Personnel must have served for three years before he/she can qualify for marriage.
“She disobeyed the Armed Forces of Nigeria standing guidelines and directives for the use of Social Media. Indulging in romance while in uniform.
“Her conduct was prejudicial to good order and military discipline.
“All the above, if proven are in violation of extant laws with attendant disciplinary and penal implications.
“As a personnel, her task was to train the Youth Corps members and not to indulge in amorous relationship with any of them. These rules were put in place for the purpose of proper administration and discipline in the Army. If I may ask, what if the soldier was a male? How would the public have perceived his action? Definitely, it would have been perceived as taking advantage of a female Corper, a trainee, put in his care for training.”
