A female soldier arrested for accepting a marriage proposal,breached the military’s code of conduct by “indulging in romance while in uniform,”an army spokesman has said.
A video emerged last week of the soldier accepting a ring from a man kneeling in front of her, while onlookers shared in their joy. Meanwhile,a woman’s rights group has accused the military of discriminating against her.
Similar action had not been taken against male soldiers involved “in a public display of amorous relationships in full military uniform”, the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid group said.
Human rights activist and former Nigerian presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore condemned the army’s decision as “misogynistic”.
The soldier had accepted the marriage proposal from a trainee in the government’s youth training scheme, known as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
As part of the year-long mandatory scheme graduates from universities and other higher-learning institutions get instruction from the army. The marriage proposal was made during a training programme in Kwara State.
Army spokesman Gen Clement Nwachukwu said the soldier had flouted the military’s code of conduct, as well as its social media policy.
“Her conduct was prejudicial to good order and military discipline.”The trainers’ task was to train the youth corps members and not to indulge in amorous relationship with any of them,” Gen Nwachukwu added. The NYSC has not yet commented.
More Stories
NIGERIAN LIONS’ FETE INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
FG Reopens Third Mainland Bridge After Repairs
One-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos