*Army Chief Orders Investigation

CIVILIAN staff of the Ministry of Defence, under the aegis of Joint Executive Council (JEC), have shut the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja over the brutalisation of some colleagues by some soldiers.

The protest began early Monday morning, June 10, with hundreds of civilian employees barricading the entrance to the ministry.

In response to the brutalisation, President of JEC, which consist of all affiliate unions representing the civilian staff in the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Didam Joel, said a civilian staff of the ministry was being detained by military authorities for one month, despite not being a military personnel.

He added that as if that was not enough, an assistant director in the ministry, working at Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos State, was also brutalised on Monday, June 10, in disregard of civil service rules.

Meanwhile, a member of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) named the brutalised civilian as Ambrose Akhigbe, while the soldiers were led by one Lt. Akubor.

The victim was said to have been hospitalised. 

The senior staff also alleged that a laboratory scientist in the Naval Reference Hospital at Navy Town, Ojo in Lagos State, was “killed” barely two months, adding: “We were at the heat of it, the person controlling the current crop of soldiers in all command schools in Lagos, including some civilian PSOs, are backing these shameful acts of killing MOD staff at duty posts.

“We, therefore, demand the complete overhaul of the command schools by returning the schools to their original structure of standard school system, to be headed by professional education officers in the Ministry of Defence, and they can only provide security if they wish.

“The management of MOD should be aware that we are not backing down on this, as we don’t know who is next.”

In response to the concerns raised by ASCSN regarding the treatment of civilian workers at Command Secondary School, Ipaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into the unfortunate incident.

 A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, on Tuesday, June 11, said the COAS has taken decisive action to address the situation.

According to the statement: “The Chief of Army Staff, in his unwavering commitment to upholding the rights of all personnel, including the civilian staff, has directed the Provost Marshal (Army) to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the unfortunate incident at the Command Secondary School, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

“The investigation will comprehensively address all allegations raised by the ASCSN, with a focus on ensuring accountability and justice for all parties involved.

“The Nigerian Army (NA) recognises 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.

“The NA is 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.”

It added: “Currently, the NA is actively engaging with the Ministry of Defence and the ASCSN to address any outstanding issues and promote a cordial working relationship and industrial harmony.

“The NA strongly believes that open communication and collaboration are key to resolving challenges, and is fully committed to maintaining these principles.

“As the investigation progresses, the NA urges all parties to refrain from making premature judgments or spreading misinformation. Trust in the process is essential, and the NA is confident that the investigation will provide a clear and accurate understanding of the situation to facilitate appropriate and fair actions.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of all stakeholders, as we diligently work to address these concerns.”