The Nigerian Army has promised to investigate conditions at its detention facilities after a video emerged online showing soldiers complaining about overcrowding and poor feeding at the 8 Division Garrison detention facility in Sokoto State.
In the video which surfaced online on Friday, the soldiers lamented the condition of the facility and the way they were being treated.
The commentator in the video claimed that they were over 100 in the facility, and over 40 of them had been awaiting confirmation.
He also lamented their well being, saying that the food given to them is not enough. “They seize our food and don’t allow us to buy food. Four years and still under detention,” he said.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement on Monday that the army chief finds the incident “unfortunate” and has ordered an investigation to determine how widespread the problems are.
The statement partly read, “Undoubtedly, the Sokoto barracks detention facility incident is quite unfortunate and an embarrassment to the sound administration efforts of the Chief of Army Staff, to say the least.
“In line with his leadership style, the COAS has instituted an appropriate investigation into the incident to determine whether it is an isolated or widespread situation in similar detention facilities.”
The Army also said it would not tolerate the way the soldiers expressed their grievances, and those involved could face disciplinary action.
Army Probes Soldiers’ Overcrowded Detention Cell
