The Nigerian army has taken action against two soldiers after a disturbing video circulated online, capturing the brutal torture of a civilian.
In the footage, one individual in military attire and another in civilian clothing are seen kicking and whipping a shirtless man who pleads for mercy.
The army expressed “utmost dismay” at the “unprofessional conduct” and assured that the identified soldiers involved have been arrested. The incident occurred in Rivers state, Nigeria, with the date remaining unclear.
The circulation of the video on social media platforms earlier this week prompted widespread condemnation of the soldiers and Nigerian army, with one user on X describing the soldiers’ behaviour as “highly cruel, barbaric and nothing but abuse of power”.
The army has assured that it will conduct a thorough investigation to address the incident and promised to “sanction those involved”.
This incident adds to the scrutiny that international human rights groups have previously directed at Nigeria’s army for alleged rights abuses, encompassing torture, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings.
