A Violation of Human Right-Nigerian Army’s decision to punish a female soldier for accepting a marriage proposal

The Nigerian Army’s decision to punish a female soldier, Hannah Sofiyat Akinlabi, for allegedly flouting its rules and code of conduct has sparked an outrage.

Sofiyat accepted a marriage proposal from a male corps member at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Kwara state.

In one of the now-viral videos seen by The Nation, the yet-to-be-identified corps member is seen holding a ring.

He knelt to propose to the soldier amid cheers and applause from other corps members in the background.

Reacting Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu had disclosed the detained female officer violated extant military laws by getting involved in a public display of relationship with a paramilitary trainee – a corps member.

He explained that the female officer violated the Nigerian Army’s rules and regulations guiding the codes of conduct of military personnel when deployed for duty.

According to him, the female soldier violated some rules of the Nigerian Army, including indulging in an amorous relationship with a trainee; indulging in romance while in uniform; disobeying the Armed Forces standing guidelines and directives for the use of social media, among others.

He said “These rules were put in place for the purpose of proper administration and discipline in the Army.

“If I may ask, what if the soldier was a male? How would the public have perceived his action?

“Definitely, it would have been perceived as taking advantage of a female corper, a trainee, put in his care for training.

“The same applies here. The Nigerian military like all others, has its disciplinary codes, distinct from that of the general society. Every personnel has voluntarily undertaken to be bound by this code”.

Meanwhile, the decision of the army has sparked a flurry of reactions, with many expressing dissatisfaction over army’s decision.

Publisher of SaharaReporter, Omoyele Sowore vowed to mobilise justice for the embattled female soldier.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, Sowore said, “Just came to my attention that the @Nigerian army detained the female soldier in this video for getting a proposal from a youth corps member.

“What the Army did is totally unacceptable and I would very much love to mobilise for her to get justice. Our society is getting more and more oppressive and discriminatory.

“This has to stop! Please if you have her contact or know how she could be reached, kindly DM me! #Revolutionnow”.

Funmi Falana, the wife of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, and chairperson of the Women Empowerment & Legal Aid in a letter to the COAS, demanded the immediate release of the soldier.

Falana said the female soldier “has not contravened the regulation on restriction of marriage for three years”.

“In view of the foregoing, we urge you to use your good offices to order the release of Private Sofiyat Akinlabie from further custody.

“Furthermore, her decision to marry the male youth corps member should be respected as both of them are entitled to freedom of association guaranteed by Section 40 of the Constitution.

“While wishing you compliments of the season, please accept the assurances of our professional regards and esteem.”

Also, popular activist Deji Adeyanju of Concerned Nigerians said: “Such gross violation of human rights, abuse of power and excessive use of force are absolutely uncalled for and condemnable.”

He called for the immediate release of the detained female soldier “before it sparks national global outrage”.

Culled: The Nation