PRESS STATEMENT ON THE DEHUMANISING OF A FEMALE CORPS MEMBER CAUGHT ON VIDEO BY A FEMALE OFFICER.
The attention of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has been drawn to a video which went viral yesterday 22/09/21 in which a female Army Officer was seen brutalizing a female Corps member in Calabar, Cross River State. This matter was said to have taken place in July 2021.
2. It is unfortunate that while we are raising the bar in our campaign to sustain the zero tolerance against SGBV at all levels in the country, including the Security Sector, an act of such nature can still occur.
3. On behalf of Nigerian Women and all our partners in the fight against SGBV, we condemn unequivocally this unacceptable and unimaginable incidence and stand in solidarity to say No to Violence in all its ramifications!!!
4. We commend the Nigerian Army for the promptness in addressing the situation. Our relationship with the Military and Para-Military Sector in recent times in line with the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security has fostered greater collaborations and partnerships bringing about more gender friendly actions in the Security architecture and the civil space of which we are very proud of. I thank the 13 Brigade Commander for his prompt intervention and the GOC 82 Division for his responsive and professional disposition in handling the case when it happened and even taking time to clarify the issues through a telephone conversation on 23/09/21. I also thank all the concerned individuals who felt duty bound to support our efforts at locating all the concerned parties.
5. I want to assure all Nigerians that alongside my Colleague, Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, DG NYSC, we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the Corps member gets the desired justice.
6. Let me use this opportunity to salute the members of the FMWA-Emergency Group Against SGBV for their tireless contributions in helping us stem the tide of the pandemic of GBV.
7. I want to reassure all Nigerians that the Corps member will formally relocate to Lagos this morning (24/09-21), following her request to be so deployed. For the purpose of further clarity, the victim has in a telephone conversation also confirmed that at no point was her phone seized.
8. As the Minister for Women Affairs and as a Nigerian woman and mother, I appeal for calm and assure you that we will continue to engage with the leadership of the Nigeria Army to forestall such reoccurence.
Thank you all!
Dame Pauline K. Tallen, OFR, KSG Honourable Minister
Federal Ministry Of Women Affairs
24/09/2021.