The Nigerian Army authorities has punished two soldiers who were caught on camera maltreating a physically challenged man on a wheelchair for allegedly wearing military camouflage.

The video clip went viral on the social media last week showing the two soldiers dragging the crippled man on the ground and hitting him.

Reports say the incident occurred in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Army authorities later said the two soldiers involved in the ugly incident have since been arrested while the physically challenged man has received monetary compensation.

Acting director of Army public relations, Sani Usman, issued a statement on Saturday saying that the soldiers who were identified as Bature Samuel  and Abdulazeez Usman, both corporals attached to the 82 Provost Company, have been summarily tried based on 2 count charges of infringement of human rights and found guilty.

“Consequently, both have been sentenced to reduction in rank; from Corporal to Private Soldiers and 21 days Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) respectively,  which includes forfeiture of 21 days pay to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Usman stated.

He also confirmed that “the Nigerian Army has also reached out to the victim of their unjustifiable assault, Chijoke Uraku (alias CJ), as widely reported by the media.”

The Army spokesman reiterated the commitment of the Army to ensuring that troops conduct themselves in the most orderly and professional manner at all times, stressing that “any act of indiscipline would not be tolerated.”