The Nigerian Army on Sunday confirmed that it is detaining an unnamed female soldier who got into a romantic relationship with a male corps member at the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in Yikpata, Kwara State.
According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the female officer violated military laws by getting involved in a public display of amorous relationship with a paramilitary trainee – a corps member.
Just days ago, the internet was buzzing with video clips showing a male corps member proposing to a female soldier at the Kwara NYSC.
In the video, the yet-to-be-identified corps member was recorded holding a ring as he knelt to ask the female soldier to marry him.
The visibly excited female soldier who was in her military uniform, accepted the corps member’s proposal as he inserted the ring in her finger. They later locked themselves in a warm embrace and kissed to the cheery applause of other corps members.
But speaking with The Punch on Sunday, the Army spokesman said the female soldier violated the Nigerian Army’s rules and regulations guiding the codes of conduct of military personnel when deployed for duty.
Nwachukwu said the female soldier’s action amounted to taking advantage of her trainee, noting that the public would have been outraged and accused the Army of coercion had a male soldier proposed to a female corper during NYSC parade.
He said, “The female soldier in question violated the following rules of the NA:
“1. Fraternization while on official duty at the NYSC camp. That is, indulging in an amorous relationship with a trainee.
“2. A personnel must have served for three years before he/she can qualify for marriage.
“3. She disobeyed the Armed Forces of Nigeria standing guidelines and directives for the use of Social Media.
“4. Indulging in romance while in uniform.
“5. Her conduct was prejudicial to good order and military discipline.
“All the above, if proven are in violation of extant laws with attendant disciplinary and penal implications.”
The Army spokesman, however, declined comments on the likely punishment the female soldier might get but said “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.”
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