Tobias Sylvester
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the detention of a female soldier who went viral on social media after accepting the marriage proposal of a male corps member at the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in Yikpata, Kwara State.
KanyiDaily had reported how the female military officer was arrested after a corps member went down on his knees and proposed marriage to her at the NYSC orientation camp in Kwara.
In a video circulating the social media, the excited female soldier was seen kissing her heartthrob after she accepted his proposal and flaunted her engagement ring amid cheers from corps members.
Speaking with Punch on Sunday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the female officer violated military laws by getting involved in a public display of amorous relationship with a paramilitary trainee – a corps member.
Nwachukwu 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’s action amounted to taking advantage of her trainee, noting that the public would have been outraged and accused the Army of coercion had a male soldier proposed to a female corper during NYSC parade.
He said, “The female soldier in question violated the following rules of the NA:
“1. Fraternization while on official duty at the NYSC camp. That is, indulging in an amorous relationship with a trainee.
“2. A personnel must have served for three years before he/she can qualify for marriage.
“3. She disobeyed the Armed Forces of Nigeria standing guidelines and directives for the use of Social Media.
“4. Indulging in romance while in uniform.
“5. 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.”
The Army spokesman, who declined comments on the likely punishment the female soldier might get, said “the Nigerian Military like all others, has its disciplinary codes, distinct from that of the general society. Every personnel has voluntarily undertaken to be bound by this code.”
Some activists including Omoyele Sowore, who shared photos of military officers proposing to their love interests in uniform on Facebook, have since called for the release of the female soldier.
KanyiDaily had also reported how the Nigerian Army dismissed a female soldier for getting pregnant after she was allegedly raped by five suspected bandits while traveling to Oyo State.
