Soldier Assaults, Dehumanize Food Vendor In Benue Community Over Demand To Pay N2,400 Debt 

 

 

Soldier Assaults, Dehumanize Food Vendor In Benue Community Over Demand To Pay N2,400 debt

TEC News!

In addition to the trauma and losses of a community besieged and terrorized by Fulani Herdsmen in Benue State Nigeria, some uniform men are also alleged to be terrorising the survivals of attacks in the same community as one soldier identified as Private Emmanuel Christopher has been accused of assaulting and dehumanizing a female food vendor in the area.

A man who described himself as a voice of the voiceless , Ukan Kurugh who has written a petition to the Chief of Army Staff over the incident stated the need for justice for the defenseless and caution of the men in uniform.

 

In the petition posted on a Facebook page, Ukan Kurugh explained how the soldier , Private Emmanuel Christopher eat food worth N2,400 on credit from a female food vendor who operates a local food business in Kula Village and could not pay for weeks, the lady demanded payment on the day the incident took place and that resulted in assults.

 

In response to the demand, Private Emmanuel assaulted and dehumanized the food vendor whose name was not captured with floggings and other maltreatment acts .  The petition has Ukan wrote:

 

“The victim runs a humble eatery near a temporary military base in the community. Her ordeal began when Private Emmanuel consumed food worth N2,400 on credit and failed to pay after several weeks. When she respectfully approached him to request payment, the soldier returned to her place of business wielding a large stick. In a demeaning display, he dropped naira notes one by one on the ground and asked her to pick them. When she bent down to collect them, he brutally assaulted her, beating her severely with the stick and leaving visible injuries. His justification for this cruel action was that she was being rude to a military officer, and that she needed to be “taught a lesson” as she was not the first food vendor to serve soldiers”.

 

Ukan describes the conduct as flagrant abuse of military authority and a violation of human rights and dignity.

 

“This conduct is a flagrant abuse of military authority and a violation of the rights and dignity of a hardworking Nigerian citizen. No one, especially those working to make an honest living, deserves such treatment under any circumstances”.

Ukan also mentioned that the environment has been going through attacks for some times now and what they need is not attacks from those stationed to protect them .

 

“It is important to state that the people of Gwer West are already traumatised and displaced by incessant attacks from suspected killer herdsmen, who have over the years ravaged villages, destroyed farmlands, and left many dead or homeless. It was against this backdrop that a military formation was set up in Kula village to protect the people and restore peace. Sadly, rather than being a source of succour, this soldier’s behaviour is now adding to the woes of an already battered population”.

 

The first request in the petition by Ukan states that the Military lunches a full scale investigations into the incident among other things.

 

Full text of the Petition below: 

 

The Chief of Army Staff
Nigerian Army Headquarters
Ministry of Defence
Area 7, Garki
Abuja, FCT
Nigeria

Dear Chief of Army Staff,

Petition Against the Cruel and Dehumanising Treatment of a Female Food Vendor (“Mama Put” Operator) by Private Emmanuel Christopher in Gwer West, Benue State

I write as a concerned citizen and advocate for justice on behalf of the defenceless and voiceless. I bring to your attention the brutal treatment meted out to a young woman operating a local food business (popularly known as “mama put”) in Kula village, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, by one of your personnel, identified as Private Emmanuel Christopher.

The victim runs a humble eatery near a temporary military base in the community. Her ordeal began when Private Emmanuel consumed food worth N2,400 on credit and failed to pay after several weeks. When she respectfully approached him to request payment, the soldier returned to her place of business wielding a large stick. In a demeaning display, he dropped naira notes one by one on the ground and asked her to pick them. When she bent down to collect them, he brutally assaulted her, beating her severely with the stick and leaving visible injuries. His justification for this cruel action was that she was being rude to a military officer, and that she needed to be “taught a lesson” as she was not the first food vendor to serve soldiers.

This conduct is a flagrant abuse of military authority and a violation of the rights and dignity of a hardworking Nigerian citizen. No one, especially those working to make an honest living, deserves such treatment under any circumstances.

It is important to state that the people of Gwer West are already traumatised and displaced by incessant attacks from suspected killer herdsmen, who have over the years ravaged villages, destroyed farmlands, and left many dead or homeless. It was against this backdrop that a military formation was set up in Kula village to protect the people and restore peace. Sadly, rather than being a source of succour, this soldier’s behaviour is now adding to the woes of an already battered population.

In view of this, I respectfully urge your office to:

1. Initiate a full and impartial investigation into the incident.

2. Bring Private Emmanuel Christopher to justice, in line with military regulations and applicable civil laws.

3. Ensure the victim receives appropriate medical care and compensation.

4. Use this opportunity to reaffirm the Army’s stance against rights violations and reinforce the need for respectful civil-military relations, especially in rural communities.

We believe the Nigerian Army stands for honour, discipline, and protection of the citizenry. Addressing this matter promptly will help sustain public confidence and ensure that those who abuse their uniforms do not go unpunished.

Yours faithfully,

Ukan Kurugh
Voice of the Voiceless

CC:
1. The Chief of Defence Staff
Defence Headquarters
Abuja, FCT

2. Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission
Aguiyi Ironsi Street
Maitama, Abuja