A GROUP of Nigerian mothers known as Mothers United and Mobilized (MUM) has called for sanctions against soldiers captured in a viral video while brutalising workers of a cleaning company in Kaduna State.
The ICIR had exclusively reported that the incident took place at the 2 Seasons Resort and Conference Center, where the company was engaged to provide services.
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A staff of the company, @ayopaintedit, who shared the video on Twitter in a series of tweets seen by The ICIR on Saturday, May 6, said the soldiers were called to the hotel by the managers after workers of the cleaning company requested payment of outstanding fees.
Instead of resolving the matter amicably, he said the soldiers resorted to brutal force, assaulting the workers and seizing their phones.
He said the incident left some of the workers injured, with one suffering a broken head, and another almost losing his eyesight.
In another footage, he said one of the soldiers called back later, threatening to deal further with staff of the cleaning company if the Twitter post they made on the incident was not pulled down.
The incident sparked outrage amongst Nigerians, who took to the social media to demand justice for the victims.
The Army had in response to the report and further enquiries by The ICIR said it was investigating the incident.
However in a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the coalition of mothers, MUM expressed concern about the increasing violence against civilians and youths by Nigerian security forces.
The group, which is made up of mothers from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, said it is dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of children in Nigeria.
According to the letter dated May 11 and signed by the convener, Boluwaji Onabolu, MUM emphasised it’s commitment to mediating between various stakeholders to midwife the dialogue that is necessary for good governance and a youth-friendly Nigeria.
Citing The ICIR’s report on the incident, the group urged the NHRC to take urgent action on the matter by dedicating staff to look into the issue and convening discussions with the Nigerian Army, the Kaduna State Police Command, and officials of the Kaduna State government.
The group also called for the soldiers involved to be tried according to the rules of the military and sanctioned accordingly.
“Whatever the cause, these soldiers have no right to take laws into their own hands in this manner. We have therefore through by this letter lodged a complaint and petition to the National Human Rights Commission,” the letter made available to The ICIR read in part.
“Convene and facilitate discussions with the Nigerian Army, the Kaduna State Police Command and officials of the Kaduna State Government accordingly.
“Soldiers should be tried according to the rules of the military and be sanctioned accordingly.”
In addition, the group said the managers of the hotel should be held accountable for their role in the incident.
The group urged the National Human Rights Commission to provide weekly updates on the matter between May 11 and May 31.
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