By Peter Dansu A serving soldier of the Nigerian Army has raised grave allegations of abuse of authority, extortion, unjust punishment, an...
By Peter Dansu
A serving soldier of the Nigerian Army has raised grave allegations of abuse of authority, extortion, unjust punishment, and a deliberate effort to block his access to justice. The disturbing claims, contained in a detailed human rights statement by Bdr. Adamu Mohammed of the 343 Artillery Regiment, have sparked renewed calls for urgent investigation and stronger oversight over military disciplinary systems.
Bdr. Mohammed, who enlisted with service number 99NA/48/1116, narrates a troubling ordeal that he says began in 2021 with the arrival of a new superior officer, Capt. A. M. Gidado. According to him, he was ordered to participate in illegal roadblocks and join an extortion ring targeting oil bunkerers, with fixed daily returns expected. His refusal to take part in the illegal activity, he claims, marked the beginning of a campaign of harassment and retaliation.
He alleges that he was forcefully removed from his operational duties, repeatedly humiliated in public, sidelined without meaningful assignment, and openly intimidated by both Capt. Gidado and another senior officer, Maj. Aminu Garba. He says the pressure intensified over time, creating a work environment that felt hostile and unsafe.
The soldier further states that the retaliation soon escalated into direct attacks on his career. Despite being qualified for promotion to Staff Sergeant, he claims he was denied decoration, demoted unlawfully, and stripped of his right to a fair hearing. His account states that he was not given the opportunity to appear before the proper legal or investigative bodies, nor was he allowed to elect a mode of trial, as clearly required under Section 117 of the Armed Forces Act. He also alleges that his demotion went beyond what is legally permissible under Section 116 of the Act.
Compounding the issue is what Bdr. Mohammed describes as a disturbing pattern of obstruction of justice. According to him, every petition he sent to senior military authorities — including the Brigade Command, the GOC of 82 Division, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Chief of Defence Staff — was either blocked or suppressed. Even petitions submitted through his legal representatives, he claims, were rejected on procedural grounds rather than considered on their merit.
As the situation worsened, he says his salary was downgraded to that of a Corporal, pushing him into deeper financial hardship. The emotional weight of the ordeal, he admits, has taken a severe toll. He describes battling psychological distress, growing hopelessness, and even suicidal thoughts due to what he calls prolonged injustice and institutional silence.
Human rights advocates warn that the allegations point to deeply troubling violations of both Nigerian and international legal standards. Nigeria’s Armed Forces Act guarantees fair hearing and protects soldiers from unlawful orders. The 1999 Constitution safeguards human dignity and bans abuse of authority. International conventions — including the UN Convention Against Torture, the ICCPR, and the African Charter — all condemn degrading treatment and the misuse of disciplinary procedures to settle personal scores.
The soldier’s plea, now circulating among civil society organizations, calls on the President, the National Human Rights Commission, the National Assembly’s defence committees, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chief of Army Staff to intervene without delay.
He is asking for an independent investigation, protection from retaliation, a review of his demotion and salary downgrade, and accountability for any officer found guilty of abuse. He is also appealing for psychological and welfare support for himself and his family.
Observers say the case raises broader concerns about a culture of silence and unchecked authority within the military. For many, it highlights the urgent need for stronger internal oversight and better protection for soldiers who speak out against wrongdoing.
To them, this is more than just one man’s cry for help. They see it as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice, professionalism, and human rights within the armed forces.
At the heart of the matter is a simple message:
Every soldier deserves fair treatment.
Every complaint deserves to be heard.
And every life, even behind the barracks gate, deserves dignity.
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